Overdose deaths in Kentucky have decreased for the third year in a row. Deaths were down 30.2% in 2024 compared with the previous year.
According to the 2024 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report, just over 1,400 Kentuckians lost their lives last year to a drug overdose.
During his Team Kentucky update, Governor Beshear said this drastic reduction is due to the hard work of many people across the Commonwealth.
“What we're seeing here ought to give everyone whose worked so hard to get to this point in law enforcement, recovery or treatment, hope that we can do even more. We owe them a big thank you for all of that work.”
The governor had even more good news for the Black community. Among Black Kentucky residents, who had not previously seen a decrease, only 170 died from a drug overdose in 2024, a decrease from 271 in 2023, marking a 37.3% decrease.
Governor Beshear said this good news also applies when looking at the different age groups across the commonwealth.
“This year's overdose report also indicates all Kentucky age groups saw a decrease in drug overdose deaths with the only increase among those ages 75 to 84.”
Governor Beshear said Fentanyl was present in over 62% of OD deaths and Methamphetamine was present in over 55% of deaths.
