Delaware sees 36% drop in drug deaths in 2024, outpacing national trend

Delaware officials announced a major milestone in the fight against the opioid crisis, reporting a nearly 36% decrease in drug-related deaths in 2024 compared to the previous year.

State agencies confirmed 338 drug deaths in 2024, down from 527 in 2023 and 537 in 2022.

The dramatic decline, confirmed through toxicology data from the Division of Forensic Science, mirrors broader regional and national improvements, with neighboring states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland also reporting significant drops in overdose fatalities.

“The drop in drug deaths in Delaware, the region, and in most states nationally is encouraging, but we need people to recognize the danger of the filler substances in street drugs,” said DHSS Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) Director Joanna Champney. “Fentanyl is still a concern, but now we’re also very concerned with substances like medetomidine and other substances not meant for human consumption that can make people extremely sick and can result in death.”

READ: Delaware launches $13M grant round to combat opioid crisis

The decline is part of a larger national trend. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. saw a 26.5% drop in drug overdose deaths between November 2023 and November 2024.

Delaware’s drop outpaced this figure, as did neighboring states like Virginia (42%) and Washington, D.C. (33%).

Officials credit the improvement to a range of initiatives, including targeted naloxone distribution, expanded addiction treatment access, and widespread public health campaigns.

They also point to a shift in drug use methods, with less injection and more smoking, which can carry a reduced overdose risk.

The state continues to invest heavily in addiction response, with more than $50 million in federal grant funding supporting treatment and outreach.

The state’s Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission (POSDC) is preparing to award another $13 million in June for addiction-related initiatives.

“Every overdose is one too many, and we still have a long road ahead of us — but we are also seeing real progress,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings.“This is a staggering reduction in the opioid epidemic’s death toll and a testament to the dedication of our community groups, public health agencies, first responders, and state leaders who have prioritized this work. I am tremendously proud of our work to hold Big Pharma accountable for the devastation that the opioid crisis has wrought in our state, and I am in awe of the on-the-ground work that has made this progress possible.”

Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay echoed the sentiment, calling the results “promising” while urging continued focus. “We must continue advancing prevention and recovery efforts so that one day we can say Delaware has overcome this crisis.”

Despite the gains, drug overdoses remain the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 44, and Delaware officials stress that prevention, education, and treatment access will remain top priorities.

“Our job now is to double down and keep up the pressure. We have some of the best people and organizations in the country devoted to this fight, and we will not rest until overdose deaths are eradicated in Delaware,” Jennings said.