New data show fewer fentanyl overdoses, but continued strain on emergency services
PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon’s overdose deaths have decreased over the past two years, according to provisional federal data and a new report released by Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
Preliminary data show there were around 1,100 deaths in 2025, representing a continued downward trend, although the total is likely to increase slightly as more data from 2025 is processed. A total of 1,544 people died of a drug overdose in 2024, down from 1,833 in 2023.
The decline marks the first year-over-year decline since 2016, according to a legislatively mandated report on the ongoing statewide overdose crisis.
“This improvement is the result of deep partnerships between state agencies, behavioral health providers, local officials and law enforcement and shows what is possible when all of us work together,” Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said. “We have to stay on track. Together, we can save the lives of our neighbors, friends and family members.”
John W. Mcllveen, Ph.D., Oregon’s State Opioid Treatment Authority, said that while all overdose deaths are tragic, and historically underserved communities and populations still bear the brunt of the opioid crisis, the data show Oregon’s investments in prevention, treatment and harm reduction are helping save lives.
“But with fentanyl and methamphetamine still involved in most deaths, continued collaboration is critical to sustaining this progress,” he said, noting that more than 90% of the reported overdose deaths involved fentanyl, methamphetamine or some combination of both.
There were 4,193 in-patient overdose-related hospitalizations, and 10,365 overdose-related emergency room visits in 2024, according to the report. Those totals do not account for overdoses that are reversed in the community, using opioid-reversing medications such as naloxone.
In 2024, 62.2% of Oregon overdose deaths involved multiple substances (polysubstance), with the majority (70%) of polysubstance overdose deaths involving fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Addressing this issue requires a cross-agency, multisector response to simultaneously address factors contributing to substance use and overdose.
Some investments contributing to Oregon’s decrease in overdoses include:
- Funding the Save Lives Oregon Harm Reduction Clearinghouse, which partners with community-based and front-line organizations to provide direct services to people experiencing fentanyl addiction and other substance use issues.
- Expanding investments in opioid treatment programs and services throughout the state.
- Funding Behavioral Health Regional Networks (BHRNs). This statewide network of services and supports, available in every Oregon county, serves people with substance use disorders regardless of their ability to pay.
- Funding prevention programs and peer services and supports around the state.
“The sustained decline in overdose deaths is encouraging to see, but we still have a long way to go,” said Tom Jeanne, M.D., MPH, deputy state health officer and deputy state epidemiologist at OHA. “Continued investment by the state and community partners across the full spectrum of prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery is needed to keep overdoses on a downward trajectory.”
You can see Jeanne’s complete interview here.
Ways to save lives in your community:
- Learn how to administer naloxone with this Save Lives Oregon video
- Connect with your regional overdose prevention coordinator to learn about local overdose prevention activities and resources.
- Find more overdose and prevention resources on OHA’s website.
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