Maryland overdose deaths have fallen to a 10-year low after declining for the fourth year in a row, according to provisional data from the state’s Overdose Data Dashboard. The state recorded 1,315 overdose deaths in 2025, down 26% year over year and down 53% since Maryland’s historic hig h of 2,800 deaths from overdoses in 2021, the dashboard shows. (Note: State officials emphasize that the dashboard’s data is preliminary, and that counts may increase based on the outcome of ongoing investigations into Maryland deaths.) But the work is not over, said Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. “Maryland continues to show that our partnerships with local communities are invaluable in our efforts to reduce overdoses across the state,” Moore said in a statement. “We have more work to do—but by working together, we will continue to fight for those seeking recovery.” All major drug categories and all demographic groups saw decreases in overdoses deaths. Non-hispanic Black men aged 55 and older are the demographic group with the highest rate of overdose deaths proportional to their population size. Fatal overdoses in this group fell from 138.1 per 100,000 men in 2024 to 98.6 per 100,000 men in 2025. Still, this group‘s overdose rate remains three times higher than the rate for white men in the same age group. Fatal overdoses fell 31% for non-Hispanic Black Marylanders overall, from 812 deaths in 2024 to 563 in 2025. For non-Hispanic white Marylanders overall, that decline was 22%, from 789 in 2024 to 618 in 2025. Overdose deaths related to fentanyl dropped from 1,314 in 2024 to 906 last year, marking a 31% decrease. Advocacy organizations like the Maryland-based Lost Voices of Fentanyl describe these deaths as fentanyl poisoning due to victims using other drugs that have unknowingly been laced with fentanyl. Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller highlighted the life-saving work of substance use care partners. “While we continue to lose too many of our loved ones, our progress to reduce overdoses and save lives is significant, and we owe a debt of gratitude to everyone who shows up every day to meet people where they are and make connections to substance use care,” Miller said in a statement. “This work starts at the ground level, with dedicated partners continuing their efforts to foster relationships and make connections to services that protect the health and well-being of those with substance use disorders.” The Maryland Overdose Response Advisory Council is continuing to engage community members on strategies to reduce overdoses and address disparities among different demographic groups. “Everyone deserves access to substance use recovery, and Maryland is working to ensure that our constituents have multiple pathways to care,” Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani said in a statement. “From our crisis services that give Marylanders a no-wrong-door way to access help to efforts that make treatment and recovery services easier to find, we are continuing to enhance our support structures so that anyone seeking help has the opportunity to access care whenever they are ready to take the first step toward lasting recovery.” In 2025, Maryland distributed a record more than 440,000 doses of the opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone. The state also distributed a record more than 272,000 drug test strips. Marylanders who are or known someone who is struggling with substance use or experiencing a behavioral health crisis can call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The 988 locator tool at search.988.mdinfonet can also help connect individuals with treatment options in their area. “Every Marylander can be an important part of our efforts to reduce overdoses,” said Emily Keller, Maryland Special Secretary of Overdose Response, in a statement. “Every year, hundreds of lives are saved by everyday people who thankfully know what to do in a crisis. I encourage everyone to learn how to recognize the signs of an overdose and how to administer the overdose reversal medication, naloxone. We can all save a life, and we can all make a difference.” For more information about how to respond to an overdose and how to find and use naloxone, visit StopOverdose.maryland.gov/naloxone. ...read more read less