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Declining overdose numbers across U.S. mirror NH data

There were 30,000 fewer U.S. drug overdose deaths in 2024 than the year before, the largest one-year decline ever recorded, according to data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The numbers mirror a recent trend playing out across New Hampshire, including the state's two largest cities. An estimated 80,000 people died from overdoses last year according to the CDC, down 27% from the 110,000 in 2023. The CDC has been collecting comparable data for 45 years. The previous largest single-year drop was 4% in 2018, according to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. All but two states saw declines last year, with Nevada and South Dakota seeing small increases. There were 281 confirmed drug deaths in the state in 2024, a year-over-year decrease of 36%, according to the CDC. The number of overdoses overall in Manchester and Nashua continues to trend 'significantly lower,' Chris Stawasz, regional director of American Medical Response (AMR), said in a statement. There were 41 suspected overdoses in Manchester and Nashua in March, 23% below the 12-month rolling average, according to data shared by AMR. Twenty-eight of those occurred in Manchester, 13 in Nashua. By comparison, in April 2024 there were 81 suspected opioid ODs between the two communities including 7 deaths. The decrease is mainly attributed to the increased availability of Narcan in New Hampshire, which can reverse the effects of some opioids. Four overdoses were fatal in April, all of them in Manchester. According to AMR, of the 41 suspected opioid overdoses reported in March in both Manchester and Nashua, 51% occurred in a home or residence, 10% happened in a public building or area and 22% were in vehicles or in a roadway. Five percent were in a jail or prison. Seven percent occurred in a hotel or motel. In 37% of the overdoses, a bystander or member of the public administered Narcan before EMS personnel arrived. Overall, 37% of those involved in suspected opioid overdoses gave no fixed address or said they were homeless. In New Hampshire, anyone can seek substance use disorder treatment by accessing the N.H. Doorway program 24/7. To access the N.H. Doorway program, call 211 at any time of the day or night, or visit If you believe someone is overdosing, call 911 immediately.