Sanjay Gupta on Overdose Death Rates

From WWSG exclusive speaker, Dr. Sanjay Gupta: I have been reporting on overdose deaths for about 20 years, and have watched the terrifying upward trend as both a journalist and a physician. Back in 2001, fewer than 10,000 people in the US died from drug overdoses. In 2022, that number was up to 109,000 deaths — many involving illicit fentanyl.

But I’m hopeful. New analyses and data show a change: For the first time in five years, drug overdose deaths appear to be decreasing.

According to early numbers from the CDC, about 107,500 people died from overdoses last year — the lowest number in three years.

And researchers at the University of North Carolina are seeing similar drops in emergency room visits for overdoses as well as fewer 911 calls and other emergency response services at the state level.

Experts say they aren’t sure exactly what is driving these numbers, but there has been a push to expand access to naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses; increased flexibility in prescribing medications to treat opioid use disorder; and more and more awareness about test strips to check for the presence of fentanyl in drugs.

These are all efforts to help move us in the right direction, and there are good signs — but it isn’t time to let up.

While the overall national trends may be moving in the right direction, there continue to be disparities, with overdose death rates at the highest levels for Native Americans and Black American men. Let’s continue to do the work that’s needed to bring these numbers down for all people.

To host Dr. Sanjay Gupta for a speaking engagement, contact WWSG.