Drug deaths in the U.S. are at their lowest level since March 2025, according to federal data. Trump continues to cite fentanyl as justification for policies ranging from tariffs to immigration.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks before signing the"Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act," which strengthens prison sentences for fentanyl traffickers, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 16, 2025.
Drug deaths in the U.S. have plunged dramatically and steadily since the summer of 2023, according to the latest preliminary data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.in the 12-month period ending in March of this year. That's the lowest tally of provisional predicted deaths from fentanyl and other street drugs since at least March 2020. Despite the prolonged decline in overdose deaths, dating back to the middle of the Biden administration, President Donald Trump has continued to base a range of controversial policies — from trade tariffs to tougher criminal penalties — on his claim that fentanyl poses a growing threat to Americans."We renew our vow to liberate America from this horrible plague. We'll be getting the drug dealers, pushers, and peddlers off our streets,"remove people addicted to fentanyl and other drugs In an interview with NPR, Dr. Stephen Taylor, head of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, called those tactics misguided:" is a chronic illness," Taylor said."It's not the kind of thing where you sweep people up, you get them better and then they're cured forever."But for now, drug deaths continue to ease, with many states seeing 30-40% improvements in the last year alone. In West Virginia, fatal overdoses fell from 1,330 in the 12-month period through March 2024 to 772 in the 12-month period through March 2025. The provisional data suggests a stunning decline of nearly 42 percent. Also, states with much higher population, including California, Florida and New York, are seeing big drops in deaths caused bywhy overdoses are falling so precipitously. Some cite successful efforts in disrupting criminal fentanyl supply chains. Others point to a rapid improvement in health care and treatment for people experiencing addiction.in drug deaths in the 12-month period ending in January of this year. The new data suggests fatal overdoses have now fallen consistently, without interruption, since the summer of 2023.Brian Mann is NPR's first national addiction correspondent. He also covers breaking news in the U.S. and around the world.San Diego City crews clean up homeless camps along freeways KPBS keeps you informed with local stories you need to know about — with no paywall. Our news is free for everyone because people like you help fund it.
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