Today, elected officials, public health and behavioral health experts, and law enforcement leaders all spoke about the danger of illicit drugs and counterfeit pills. They stressed the importance of prevention, intervention and action. Behind them, 945 purple flags flew representing each person who died in 2024 from a drug overdose.
Overdose deaths in San Diego County dropped 21 percent in 2024, marking the second year in a row of declining numbers. The fall in the number of fatalities is hopeful news, but overdose deaths remain high, more than double the number in 2015.
In 2024, 945 people died from an overdose in San Diego County. That number is 258 fewer than in 2023.
Fentanyl and methamphetamine continue to be the leading causes of death. Men experienced triple the death rate of women, with about 41 men compared to 13 women per 100,000 residents dying from an overdose.
Death rates are highest among adults 45-64. The mortality rate for Black/African American residents exceeded all other racial groups with about 69 deaths per 100,000 residents.
People experiencing homelessness remain the most vulnerable, representing approximately 30 percent of all overdose deaths in the county.
The updated numbers on overdose deaths were shared during a press conference today, as part of the San Diego County Substance Use and Overdose Prevention Taskforce (SUOPT) Annual Data Report.
The event was also used to promote next week’s 24th annual International Overdose Awareness Day. That day, Aug. 31 is dedicated to raising awareness about fatal overdoses and eliminating the stigma associated with substance use disorders.
An overriding message was that overdose deaths are preventable, and substance use disease is treatable.
As part of the County’s Harm Reduction Strategy, naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medicine, and fentanyl test strips are available to anyone who wants them.
Numerous locations across the county offer the public cost-free naloxone kits. They can be found by using the interactive Substance Use and Medication Assistance Treatment (MAT) and Naloxone Resource map.
Substance use treatment resources and support services are available by calling the County’s Access and Crisis Line at 888-724-7240 or the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. These resources are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can provide help in over 150 languages.
