Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that overdose deaths in the commonwealth decreased for the third year in a row, with a 30.2% decrease in 2024 compared with the previous year.
Among Black Kentucky residents, which had not previously seen a decrease, 170 died from a drug overdose, a decrease from 271 in 2023, marking a 37.3% decrease. According to the 2024 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report, 1,410 Kentuckians lost their lives last year to a drug overdose.
Fentanyl was present in 62.3% of overdose deaths, and methamphetamine was present in 50.8% of overdose deaths. The two continue to be the most prevalent drugs contributing to overdose deaths in the state. The report also indicates that most Kentucky age groups saw a decrease in overdose deaths, with the only increase being among those ages 75-84.