In 2024, U.S. drug overdose deaths fell by nearly 27%, amounting to approximately 80,000 fatalities—30,000 fewer than in 2023, marking the largest one-year decline recorded. The CDC attributes this decrease primarily to increased access to naloxone, opioid settlement funds, and shifts in drug usage among specific demographics. While all but two states saw drops, experts caution that numbers remain higher than pre-pandemic levels, and the ongoing opioid crisis demands sustained public health efforts. Concerns linger over potential impacts from federal funding cuts and changing political perspectives on drug policy.