U.S. Sees Nearly 40% Drop in Drug-Related Deaths Among Under-35s in Past Year

By Dominica Bernhard

In a rare piece of good news in America’s battle against the opioid crisis, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a dramatic 39.7% decline in drug-related deaths among Americans under the age of 35 over the past 12 months — the steepest one-year drop in modern U.S. history.

The data, released in a preliminary CDC briefing on Monday, suggests a turning point in the nation’s struggle with opioid addiction and overdose fatalities, particularly among youth and young adults — long considered among the most vulnerable age groups.

A Sudden and Significant Reversal

According to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, the number of drug-related deaths in the under-35 demographic fell from 26,516 in 2023 to just over 15,980 in 2024.

This sharp decline contrasts with the grim statistics of the past decade, during which fentanyl-fueled overdose rates soared across nearly every age group and region. Public health officials and policymakers are cautiously optimistic, pointing to several key factors behind the dramatic shift.

Key Drivers Behind the Decline

1. Increased Naloxone Accessibility

Over-the-counter access to naloxone (Narcan), an opioid overdose reversal drug, has expanded nationwide following FDA approval in 2023. Nearly 70,000 pharmacies across the U.S. now stock Narcan, with many distributing it for free in at-risk communities.

2. Harm Reduction and Safe Use Programs

Cities including New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco have reported significant success with supervised consumption sites, needle exchange programs, and fentanyl testing strips. These harm-reduction measures, once controversial, have gained bipartisan support and shown measurable results.

3. Digital Intervention & Youth Outreach

A surge in digital health campaigns, helplines, and TikTok-based educational outreach has reached millions of young people. The federal government’s “Stay Awake” campaign — aimed at Gen Z — reportedly helped connect over 1.2 million users to addiction support services in its first six months.

4. Shifts in Drug Supply

A crackdown on synthetic opioid trafficking from overseas, particularly via Mexico and China, has disrupted supply chains. The DEA credits targeted international enforcement and enhanced border detection technology for helping reduce the volume of fentanyl entering U.S. markets.

Expert Reactions

Dr. Leana Wen, professor of public health at George Washington University, called the drop “nothing short of historic,” but warned against complacency.

“This is a hopeful milestone — not a final victory. Many young people are still vulnerable, especially in rural communities and among marginalized populations,” she said.

Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said in a statement: “This progress shows what is possible when we invest in evidence-based solutions and treat addiction as a public health issue, not a moral failing.”

Remaining Challenges and Disparities

Despite the national decline, certain regions — particularly parts of Appalachia, the Midwest, and Indigenous reservations — continue to see high rates of overdose. The CDC notes that while deaths fell sharply among white and Hispanic populations, they declined more modestly among Black and Native American youth, underscoring ongoing racial disparities in treatment access.

Mental health experts also warn that while overdose deaths have decreased, rates of substance use disorder and mental illness remain high among youth, exacerbated by economic insecurity and digital isolation.

Next Steps and Policy Momentum

Congress is now considering a bipartisan “Youth Addiction Recovery and Resilience Act,” which would allocate $1.2 billion in federal funds to expand school-based counselling, tele-health addiction services, and treatment scholarships for low-income young adults.

The Biden administration has also signaled plans to make federal funding for naloxone permanent, while several Republican governors are championing local recovery courts and expanding Medicaid-based addiction treatment.

A New Phase in the Epidemic?

While it remains too early to declare victory, the CDC’s announcement signals what could be the beginning of a sustained shift in America’s decades-long overdose crisis — especially among those with the most years ahead of them.

“This shows that young lives can be saved,” said Dr. Gupta. “Now we need to stay the course.”

Dominica Bernhard is a freelance writer for Veritas Expositae.  You can reach her at dominica.bernhard@veritasexpositae.com