Preliminary data from the CDC indicates that Washington state may be beginning to reverse its longstanding trend of increasing drug overdose deaths. This marks a significant change from last April, when CDC reports revealed a rise in fatal overdoses in Washington over the previous year, even as the national figures showed a decline.
In 2024, an estimated 3,167 individuals in Washington succumbed to opioid overdoses, down from 3,597 in 2023, representing approximately a 12% reduction. King County also saw a notable decline, with overdose deaths dropping from 1,340 in 2023 to 1,042 in 2024—a decrease of 22%, as reported by Public Health – Seattle & King County.
It’s important to note that the CDC data is provisional and may be subject to revision as further death investigations are completed and causes are confirmed. John Doyle, a spokesperson for the state Department of Health, suggested that the increase in access to naloxone, an overdose-reversing medication, could be a contributing factor to the observed decline.
Narcan, the most recognized formulation of naloxone, became available over the counter in 2023 and is now standard equipment for first responders, as well as accessible in various public locations. Other potential contributors to the decrease in overdose deaths include enhanced access to medications for treating opioid use disorder, such as methadone and buprenorphine.
Additionally, some individuals who use drugs may have developed a higher tolerance to opioids, along with improved knowledge on how to use fentanyl, a synthetic opioid linked to recent spikes in overdose rates, more safely.
