Los Angeles County Overdose Data (2024)
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Los Angeles County recorded 2,438 drug-related overdose deaths in 2024 — down from 3,137 in 2023. That 22% year-over-year decline is the most significant drop in LA County history, according to the LA County Department of Public Health. Behind every number is a person and a family — and behind this reversal is a coordinated public health response the County scaled up by 260–500% across prevention, treatment, and harm reduction in 2024.
The Headline: 22% Decline in 2024
LA County's overdose death count fell from 3,137 in 2023 to 2,438 in 2024 — the lowest recorded number since 2019, and the largest single-year percentage decline ever recorded in the County. The 2022 peak was 3,220 deaths, a rate of roughly 33 per 100,000 population. The 2024 rate dropped to approximately 25 per 100,000. Declines occurred across all five LA County supervisorial districts. Source: LA County Department of Public Health, June 2025 analysis based on LA County Department of Medical Examiner data.
Fentanyl-Specific Decline: 37%
Fentanyl-related overdose deaths in LA County dropped from 2,001 in 2023 to 1,263 in 2024 — a 37% single-year decline, the first year-over-year drop since County routine testing for fentanyl began. Fentanyl still accounted for 52% of all accidental overdose deaths in 2024, but that's down from 64% the year before. Source: LA County SAPC Fentanyl Overdose Data Report, October 2025.
Methamphetamine-Related Declines: 20%
Methamphetamine-involved overdose deaths fell 20% in 2024 year-over-year. Meth had been the most common drug in LA County overdose deaths until 2022, when fentanyl surpassed it. Both categories are now trending downward.
Demographics of 2024 Fentanyl Deaths
Adults aged 26–39 had the highest fentanyl overdose death rate (22.8 per 100,000), followed by adults 40–64 (18.8), young adults 18–25 (9.5), older adults 65+ (4.3), and youth 17 and under (0.7). Males accounted for 4.4 times the female rate. Hispanic/Latino residents accounted for the largest absolute number of deaths (508). Black residents — 8% of the County population — accounted for 19% of fentanyl deaths, a disparity the County has named as a public-health equity priority. Source: LA County SAPC Fentanyl Data Report.
Socioeconomic Equity Gap
Fentanyl overdose death rates in 2024 were nearly four times higher in LA County neighborhoods where more than 30% of families live below the federal poverty level compared to neighborhoods with less than 10% below-poverty: 39.1 per 100,000 in the poorest areas versus 10.0 per 100,000 in the most affluent. This gap has narrowed slightly with the overall decline but remains substantial. Source: LA County SAPC.
What Drove the 2024 Decline
LA County officials attribute the reversal to a 500% increase in harm-reduction funding, 275% increase in treatment funding, and 260% increase in prevention funding in 2024. Specific programs: expanded naloxone distribution (now free and OTC statewide), the 'Fentanyl Frontline' campaign, the ByLAforLA.org harm-reduction platform, fentanyl test strip distribution through DHCS, and expanded access to medication-assisted treatment. Inpatient residential treatment — the level of care we help callers access — is one of the treatment-funding categories that scaled in 2024.
Historic Context: How Bad Did It Get?
Fentanyl-related deaths in LA County went from 109 deaths in 2016 to over 2,000 in 2023 — a roughly 1,700% increase over 7 years. Total drug overdose deaths rose steadily from 2015 to a peak of 3,220 in 2022. For the unhoused population — over 75,000 Angelenos — overdose remained the leading cause of death during the crisis, with fentanyl overdoses claiming more than 1,500 unhoused lives at their 2022 peak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did LA County overdose deaths drop so much in 2024?
LA County Public Health attributes the 22% decline to large funding increases across prevention (260%), treatment (275%), and harm reduction (500%), combined with expanded naloxone distribution, fentanyl test strips, and broader MAT access.
Are fentanyl overdose deaths still disproportionately affecting certain groups?
Yes. Black residents accounted for 19% of fentanyl overdose deaths in 2024 despite being 8% of the County population. The rate in the poorest neighborhoods was 4× that of the wealthiest.
Is LA County's decline continuing into 2025?
Preliminary January 2025 data from LA County Public Health showed continued improvement, though officials caution the trend is tenuous. National CDC data shows some upticks in early 2025.
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