Ohio overdose deaths have plummeted by nearly one-third in 2024 compared to a year ago, according to a Harm Reduction Ohio analysis of state mortality data.
As of August 30, 2024, a total of 1,524 overdose deaths have been recorded in the Ohio Department of Health’s mortality data. At this time last year, 2,261 accidental overdose deaths had been confirmed and recorded, marking a decline of 737 deaths, or 32.6%.
The primary cause of this decline appears to be a decrease in fentanyl presence within Ohio’s drug supply. This is likely the result of a key branch of the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico ending fentanyl production in June 2023.
The share of overdose deaths involving fentanyl has dropped from about 80% of all overdose deaths from 2020 to 2023 to approximately 70% in 2024. This represents the lowest level of fentanyl-involved overdose deaths since 2016.
In 2023, a total of 4,452 Ohio residents died from accidental drug overdoses. If the current pace of deaths continues, Ohio is projected to suffer about 3,500 overdose deaths in 2024, the lowest death count since 2015.
While the mortality data for 2024 is incomplete and subject to change, Ohio is now in the ninth consecutive month of a historic and unexpected drop in overdose deaths.
A Harm Reduction Ohio analysis of nationwide overdose data reveals a similar, though more modest, trend. Nationwide, a sharp decline in overdose deaths began in September 2023—similar to Ohio—but the national drop has been around 15%, about half the decline seen in Ohio.