After years of devastating opioid-related fatalities, there is finally some positive news. For the first time since 2019, overdose deaths in Lehigh County have significantly decreased. While the numbers remain preliminary, 2024 data shows a significant drop of over 30%.
Nationally, the CDC reports a 10.6% decrease in overdose deaths based on early data, signaling a broader trend of progress.
While it’s encouraging news, identifying the exact reasons behind this decline remains challenging. Many experts attribute it to the increased availability of Narcan, a life-saving overdose reversal drug. Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol Services, in collaboration with local partners, distributes nearly 4,000 Narcan kits annually. Local first responders often report instances where bystanders have already administered Narcan before their arrival, potentially saving lives.
Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), supports this theory and suggests that expanded access to Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)—including methadone, suboxone, and naltrexone—has likely played a key role in the reduction of overdose deaths.
While this decrease is a step in the right direction, the battle is far from over. Far too many residents in Lehigh County are still losing their lives to drug overdoses. In response, the county will continue to focus on expanding treatment options, distributing Narcan, and funding recovery programs like the Change on Hamilton Recovery Center. If these interventions are truly driving the decline, we will remain positive.
