Kentucky overdose deaths decline by 30.2% in 2024

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Andy Beshear has announced overdose deaths in the Commonwealth have decreased for a third year in a row.

According to the governor’s office, the 2024 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report states 1,410 Kentuckians died last year due to a drug overdose.

“I am thankful that more Kentuckians are alive and in recovery today compared with last year,” 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.”

In particular, officials say 170 Black Kentucky residents died from a drug overdose compared to 271 in 2023. Previously, officials say Black residents had not seen a decrease.

Beshear’s office stated that of the overall overdose deaths in 2024, 62.3% had fentanyl present, while 50.8% had methamphetamine present.

The governor credited the state’s continued decline in overdose deaths to several factors, including grant and pass-through funding from the Office of Drug Control Policy, 170,000 doses of Narcan that were distributed, syringe exchange program sites and more.

In addition, officials say that:

• 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 upcalls.
• 21 counties are now certified as Recovery Ready Communities representing nearly 1.5 million Kentuckians.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, the KY HELP Call Center can connect you to treatment by calling 833-8KY-HELP (833-859-4357).