US overdose deaths fell again in 2025, but some worry about policy and drug supply changes

US overdose deaths fell by 14% in 2025, marking the third straight annual drop, with declines seen across various drug types and states. The 2025 total is similar to the tally in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, researchers caution that deaths can rise again due to policy changes or shifts in the drug supply.