Overdose deaths in the United States declined slightly last year, the first decrease in five years, according to preliminary federal data released Wednesday.
Even as opioid deaths fell, deaths from stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine rose.
And some states, including Oregon and Washington, continued to experience sharp rises in overall overdose fatalities.
Drug overdoses overall in 2023 were estimated at 107,543, down from 111,029 in 2022, a 3 percent drop.
Opioid deaths fell 3.7 percent while deaths from cocaine rose 5 percent and deaths from meth rose 2 percent.
Organizations:
National Center for Health Statistics
Locations:
United States, Oregon, Washington