CDC: Virginia experiences 38.5% decrease in drug overdose deaths 

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Newly released data shows drug overdose deaths are down dramatically in Virginia.

Preliminary data from the CDC has found that tragically, more than 1,500 Virginians died from a drug overdose in 2024. That’s down from the over 2,500 that died in 2023. 

The 38.5% decrease in overdose deaths is the second largest decrease in the country, only behind West Virginia. 

Jesse Wysocki, Chief Operating Officer at The McShin Foundation -- a recovery resource organization in Richmond -- said government funding for indigent and sober living services and other programs has played a key role in reducing overdose deaths in Virginia. 

“For the state and the federal government that’s listening, that’s out there, you need to continue to make sure that there is financial funding, that there is funding streams for the services that we provide,” Wysocki told 8News. “We need funding streams to support peer recovery services. Medicaid needs to be able to be used for substance use disorder. We need funding for sober living.”

Wysocki added that the prevalence of Narcan has also contributed to the reduction in overdose deaths.