Kentucky overdose deaths decline by over 30 percent in 2024

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Governor Andy Beshear announced that overdose deaths in the commonwealth decreased for the third year in a row, with a 30.2% decrease in 2024 compared with the previous year.

Officials say among Black Kentucky residents, who had not previously seen a decrease, 170 died from a drug overdose, a decrease from 271 in 2023, marking a 37.3% decrease. According to the 2024 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report, 1,410 Kentuckians lost their lives last year to a drug overdose.

Gov. Beshear says fentanyl was present in 62.3% of overdose deaths, and methamphetamine was present in 50.8% of overdose deaths. The two continue to be the most prevalent drugs contributing to overdose deaths in the state. The report also indicates that most Kentucky age groups saw a decrease in overdose deaths, with the only increase being among those ages 75-84.

“I am thankful that more Kentuckians are alive and in recovery today compared with last year,” Gov. Beshear said. “But we still mourn and grieve our 1,410 Kentuckians who lost their life last year to addiction and the many more who we lost before that. Every life lost is a child of God, and someone’s mom, dad, son, daughter, and loved one. We won’t stop until every Kentuckian is saved from addiction.”

Officials say in 2023, Kentucky reported a 9.8% decrease compared with 2022. In 2022, there was a decrease of 2.5% from 2021, marking the first year Kentucky saw a decrease in overdose deaths since 2018. By working together, the Governor said, Kentucky is saving lives. He credited the state’s continued decline in overdose deaths to several factors, including:

• More than $29.7 million was distributed in grant and pass-through funding from the Office of Drug Control Policy
• 170,000 doses of Narcan were distributed
• 84 syringe exchange program sites served 27,799 unique participants
• More than 142,310 Kentuckians received addiction services through Medicaid
• More than 17,390 Kentuckians received addiction treatment paid for by the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort
• More than 17,980 Kentuckians received recovery services (housing assistance, employment services, transportation, basic need services, etc.) in their community, paid for by the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort
• 19 Kentuckians sought treatment through the Kentucky State Police Angel Initiative.
• More than 3,320 incoming calls were made to the KY HELP Call Center, with more than 14,080 outgoing follow-up calls
• 21 counties are now certified as Recovery Ready Communities, representing nearly 1.5 million Kentuckians

“Today’s announcement is made possible by every state agency, local community, health department, addiction treatment program, and advocate who has put politics aside and fought for our Kentuckians to obtain recovery. Thank you for moving Kentucky forward and doing this good work,” said Office of Drug Control Policy Executive Director Van Ingram. “If you are a family member of one of the Kentuckians who lost their lives to an overdose last year, we are praying for you and will continue this work in your loved one’s honor.”

Officials say if anyone is struggling with addiction, the KY HELP Call Center can connect them to treatment by calling 833-8KY-HELP, or 833-859-4357. Information about treatment programs can be found here. Information on how to obtain naloxone, which is used to reverse an opioid overdose, can be found here and here. People can also turn to any Kentucky State Police post and take part in the Angel Initiative. The KSP says the Angel Initiative is completely voluntary, and individuals will not be arrested or charged with any violations if they agree to participate in treatment.