Fewer overdose deaths in Coachella Valley as CDC sees national decline
Luis Avila
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Progress being made in reducing overdose deaths, but experts say it’s no time to let up.
Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. plunged last year to their lowest level since 2019, according to new numbers from the CDC. In 2024, nationwide overdose deaths fell by nearly 30,000 from the year before, a drop of about 27 percent.
“The decrease in overdose from 2023 to 2024, a majority of those are from fentanyl.”
Dr. Teresa Jackson, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation medical director
Riverside County seeing similar trends. In 2024, 652 overdose deaths, down from nearly 900 the year prior.
Riverside County Overdose Data to Action | RODA
Experts are crediting increased availability in Narcan, expanded access to treatment centers, and more focus on harm reduction strategies. A step in the right direction, but the challenge now is making sure the numbers keep falling.
13:11:03 “Although our overall numbers go down, young Americans are very vulnerable and that trends applies here in the Coachella Valley… Nationally, the American Society of Addiction Medicine is really lobbying against Medicaid cuts specifically for substance use disorders and mental health. We’ll just see.”
Dr. Teresa Jackson, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation medical director
Keeping overdose deaths down will take continued outreach, resources, and compassion.
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