TOLEDO, Ohio —
Drug overdose deaths decreased last year in a promising trend not seen since 2018, according to the CDC.
According to provisional data, about 107,500 people died from drug overdoses in 2023, down 3% from the previous year.
"People see 3% and they're like 'is that really that big of a deal?' I think one life is a big deal," said Matt Bell, CEO and founder of Team Recovery, a Toledo-based organization that helps people with treatment services and recovery housing.
Bell believes Ohio is leading the charge in decreasing overdose deaths.
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Between April 2023 and April 2024, the state saw a nearly 20% decrease in overdose deaths, almost double what the entire country saw in the same time frame.
"It's providers that are coming in and giving people an opportunity to access care, that's been one of the biggest issues, not just barriers to care but care being available. It's not just available and now it exists," Bell said.
He added that the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department's educational efforts and free Narcan kits could also be factors. In 2023, the department gave out more than 15,000 Naloxone kits.
"That's a big strategy, as well, is identifying what parts of the county are facing the biggest burden and focusing efforts there because that's where there's an immediate need," said Tony Dible, TLCHD overdose prevention coordinator.
Dible says the nation and state wide numbers are encouraging, but don't indicate a disappearing problem.
Between 2022 and 2023, Lucas County saw a 6.5% increase in overdose deaths.
"Numbers are still too high across the board. Lucas County saw a slight increase from 2022 to 2023 in fatalities, but I do think we're still down from that peak coming out of COVID," Dible said.
Both Dible and Bell say more can still be done to push overdose deaths down even further, though, like providing more education and resources and enhancing treatment options.
TLCHD offers free Narcan to individuals in its lobby at 635 N. Erie St.
Lucas County residents can also order a free kit online here.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, call the 24/7 Crisis Care Line at (419) 904-2273.