The Associated Press reported today (5/15/25) that there were 30,000 fewer U.S. drug overdose deaths in 2024 than the year before. An estimated 80,000 people died from overdoses last year according to provisional Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data released Wednesday, which is down 27% from 110,000 in 2023. The article mentions several possible factors for the reduction: increased availability of naloxone; expanded addiction treatment; shifts in how people use drugs; and growing impact of billions of dollars in opioid settlement money. I would add that another important component is broader use of science-based medication assisted treatment (MAT) programs.

    However, the U.S. House is working on a budget bill to cut nearly a trillion dollars from our health care. Republicans in Congress want to cut Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. The CDC noted that overdoses are still the leading cause of death for people 18-44 years old. This is a major healthcare concern, so we must maintain our progress through programs that reduce the harm associated with substance use and save lives.



   In San Diego County alone, A New PATH has trained over 32,000 individuals how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose. We have 3447 overdose reversals reported through our program since it began in 2014. These numbers represent individuals (mothers, fathers, sons, daughters) who have a second chance to survive and thrive! We get our naloxone supply through state and county funding. If this funding is cut, lives will be tragically lost. Please reach out to your representatives to let them know that these “cuts kill.” And please help A New PATH to continue to expand our lifesaving work.