(LEX 18) — Kentucky has seen a substantial decrease in overdose deaths for the third consecutive year, with a 30.2% reduction in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to Gov. Andy Beshear.
"This one is really substantial. It means that more Kentuckians are here with us today and all these efforts together even in a world where the drugs keep getting more powerful are working. We've got to keep it up," Beshear said.
The decline was particularly significant among Black Kentucky residents, who experienced a 37.3% decrease in overdose deaths, according to the governor. This demographic had not seen a decrease in the state's previous two reports.
Despite the positive trend, 1,410 Kentuckians still died from drug overdoses in 2024. Fentanyl was present in the majority of these deaths, followed by methamphetamine, according to Beshear.
"There's still a lot to go. We still lost 1400 Kentuckians, so our work is not finished. Not by a long shot," said Van Ingram, leader of Kentucky's Drug Control Policy Office.
