Skip to main content


U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government
              Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowDot gov**Official websites use .gov**
                 A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
                  HTTPS**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                 A **lock** (A locked padlock) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
  Menu Close
          HHS Search block
    Search
        








  
  
    

  
      

                                      About HHS
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Programs & Services
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Grants & Contracts
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Laws & Regulations Breadcrumb
    Home
                              About
                              News
                              Statement from HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on New Drug Overdose Death Data
 Navigate to:
  News
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Blog
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      HHS Live
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Podcasts
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Media Guidelines for HHS EmployeesText resize icon

                    




**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 15, 2024**

        **Contact: 
                                    HHS Press Office**
          202-690-6343media@hhs.gov

          Statement from HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on New Drug Overdose Death Data
    
    

      Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra issued the following statement on the release of new drug overdose death data:“When President Biden took office in January 2021, the overdose death rate was increasing 31% year-over-year. Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that drug overdose deaths fell 3% over the past year—the first decline in more than five years.In 2021, we launched the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy—mobilizing communities across our country, providing historic amounts of funding to states, tribes and community organizations. We are executing on a data-driven strategy that focuses on the root causes of the crisis and the key evidence-based interventions we know can drive down overdose deaths.This new data confirms that our efforts are driving results. Drug overdoses destroy lives, families, and communities. But we have the tools and shared commitment across our nation to take on this challenge. And we have.The Biden-Harris Administration has invested billions of dollars and significant expertise to beat the overdose epidemic. We have established and expanded Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, which provide crisis services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to anyone who requests care for behavioral health. We have helped rural communities address difficulties they face in providing and accessing buprenorphine – a life-saving medication to treat opioid use disorder that can be prescribed in routine health care settings – and other critical services. We have made Naloxone available over the counter at pharmacies and grocery stores.These results show that our efforts are working. But we aren’t satisfied. HHS will continue to focus on the full range of solutions needed to address addiction for as long as necessary.”
  

    ###
    Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other news materials are available at https://www.hhs.gov/news.Like HHS on Facebook, follow HHS on Twitter @HHSgov, and sign up for HHS Email Updates.Last revised: May 15, 2024

  
  
  







  Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases

Sign Up







  Subscribe to RSS
    

      Receive latest updates







  Related News Releases
    

      New Data Show Highest Number of Health Center Patients in Nearly 60 Year History of the Program
  

HHS Reorganizes Technology, Cybersecurity, Data, and Artificial Intelligence Strategy and Policy Functions
  

HHS Finalizes Rule Establishing Disincentives for Health Care Providers That Have Committed Information Blocking







  Related Blog Posts
    

      Reflecting on Cybersecurity Awareness Month
  

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Is Taking Action to Strengthen Primary Care
  

Navigating Section 752:  Insights from Program Managers on Success, Challenges, and Tools for Change

                    
  


Media Inquiries

For general media inquiries, please contact media@hhs.gov.







  Content created by Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA) Content last reviewed May 15, 2024 Back to top
    Contact HHS
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Careers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      HHS FAQs
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Nondiscrimination NoticeHHS Archive
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Accessibility Statement
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Privacy Policy
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Viewers & PlayersBudget/Performance
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Inspector General
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Web Site Disclaimers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      EEO/No Fear ActFOIA
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      The White House
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      USA.gov
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
        Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases.

Sign Up
  HHS Headquarters
          200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
                  Washington, D.C. 20201
                  Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​ Disclaimer Policy: Links with this icon () mean that you are leaving the HHS website. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cannot guarantee the accuracy of a non-federal website.
                  Linking to a non-federal website does not mean that HHS or its employees endorse the sponsors, information, or products presented on the website. HHS links outside of itself to provide you with further information.
                  You will be bound by the destination website's privacy policy and/or terms of service when you follow the link.
                  HHS is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on private websites. For more information on HHS's web notification policies, see Website Disclaimers.
 Continue
                  Go back