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The CDC reports significant declines in fatal overdoses in Massachusetts, nearly a 30% change between 2023 and 2024, well above the national average. Despite the positive change, experts on the front lines say the news could create decelerations in much-needed infrastructural change.
The news is part of new findings reported by the CDC, which says deaths from drug overdose in the U.S. significantly declined between 2022 and 2023. A total of 20 states have seen a drop in overdose fatalities, some by as much as 54%. The data covers drug-related homicides and intentional and unintentional suicides across a range of substances with abuse potential.
“The CDC’s findings are certainly good news, but we’re seeing a number of alarming indicators on the rise right now that are directly related to substance use, overdose, and harm prevention,” says SAFE Director of Collaborative Care Chavelyn Santana.
“Trafficking rates, the number of unhoused, the number of missing people, increases in synthetic cannabis with the first overdoses being reported—many risk and protective factors for preventing misuse and maintaining sobriety are getting worse.”
SAFE co-founder and Director of Family Recovery Jim Derick has concerns that the findings will slow desperately needed reforms to systems of care. “The [reported decline in overdose rates] minimizes the experiences of people still impacted, people with repeated overdose, or families who have lost a loved one,” says Derick. “And the data doesn’t reflect the experience of people moving through systems of care right now who are still not being sufficiently supported.”
Still, the CDC remains hopeful. They link the change to improved harm-reduction strategies, overdose response systems, and the work of local and state organizations, like SAFE Coalition. “[O]ur partnerships with public safety colleagues in every state mean that we are more rapidly identifying emerging drug threats and supporting public health prevention and response activities in communities across America,” says Allison Arwady, MD, MPH, Director of CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
While this national decline is encouraging news, there is more work to be done. Overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-44, highlighting the importance of sustained efforts to ensure this progress continues.
Stigma around substance use remains one of the biggest barriers to funding, equitable access to care, and recovery support. “In everything we do, we strive to give voice and support to people who may not otherwise get it, and to change a society that stigmatizes the conditions that take lives every single day,” says Derick.
“SAFE is a community’s expression that someone’s recovery matters,” says Derick. “Here is where we publicly acknowledge recovery in a way that our society just doesn't do elsewhere.”