Opioid-related overdose deaths in Maryland have decreased by 57% since the peak during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maryland had over 2,500 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2020, with the state’s total for last year just over 1,000. The reduction follows a nationwide trend, with the United States recording over 82,000 opioid deaths in 2022 according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provisional data. Opioid deaths were around 45,000 in 2024, a 34% decrease since the nationwide peak.
The decline is attributed to expanded availability of fentanyl test strips, substance abuse treatments, naloxone (a medicine that reverses opioid overdose), and increased funds for affected communities through the Opioid Restitution Fund. Maryland’s distribution of naloxone and fentanyl test strips increased by 199% and 239% respectively since 2020, with last year’s distribution exceeding 440,000 doses of naloxone and 260,000 drug test strips. Fentanyl and opioid-related deaths have decreased by 60% and 57% respectively since 2020. Fentanyl deaths peaked at 973 in 2021 but have seen a 52% reduction over the past four years.
Baltimore City has the highest rate of opioid overdose deaths in the country with 103 deaths per 100,000 people according to 2024 Big Cities Health Coalition data. Anne Arundel County experienced a 70% drop in opioid deaths, declining from 356 deaths in 2020 to 69 last year. Maryland’s Rapid Analysis of Drugs program allows anonymous test samples to reveal actual drug supply composition, providing real-time data for health officials, doctors, and outreach workers. The Good Samaritan Law has played a key role by removing the fear of arrest for people who call for assistance during overdose emergencies. The state secured more than 90 million dollars from the Purdue Pharma and Sackler family settlement that ended a decade-long litigation.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.dundalkeagle.com/news/maryland-opioid-deaths-hit-10-year-low-down-57-since-pandemic-peak/article_432afe29-b775-4075-9ded-93fcb80a1358.html