Oregon’s overdose deaths have decreased over the past two years, according to provisional federal data and a new report released by Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

Preliminary data show around 1,100 deaths in 2025, representing a continued downward trend, although the total is likely to increase slightly as more 2025 data is processed. A total of 1,544 people died of a drug overdose in 2024, down from 1,833 in 2023.

The decline marks the first year-over-year decline since 2016, according to a legislatively mandated report on the ongoing statewide overdose crisis.

“This improvement is the result of deep partnerships between state agencies, behavioral health providers, local officials, and law enforcement and shows what is possible when all of us work together,” Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said. “We have to stay on track.”

John W. Mcllveen, Ph.D., Oregon’s State Opioid Treatment Authority, said that while all overdose deaths are tragic, and historically underserved communities and populations still bear the brunt of the opioid crisis, the data show Oregon’s investments in prevention, treatment, and harm reduction are helping save lives.

“But with fentanyl and methamphetamine still involved in most deaths, continued collaboration is critical to sustaining this progress,” he said, noting that more than 90% of the reported overdose deaths involved fentanyl, methamphetamine, or some combination of both.

There were 4,193 inpatient overdose-related hospitalizations and 10,365 overdose-related emergency room visits in 2024, according to the report. Those totals do not account for overdoses that are reversed in the community, using opioid-reversing medications such as naloxone.

In 2024, 62.2% of Oregon overdose deaths involved multiple substances (polysubstance), with the majority (70%) of polysubstance overdose deaths involving fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Addressing this issue requires a cross-agency, multisector response to simultaneously address factors contributing to substance use and overdose.

Contributing factors in Oregon’s decrease in overdoses include:

• Funding the Save Lives Oregon Harm Reduction Clearinghouse, which partners with community-based and front-line organizations to provide services to people experiencing substance use issues.
• Expanding investments in opioid treatment programs.
• Funding Behavioral Health Regional Networks. This statewide network serves people with substance use disorders regardless of their ability to pay.
• Funding prevention programs and peer services.