2023 Overdose Dip, Stimulant Rise

Final NVSS data show a modest national decline (−4.0%) in age‑adjusted drug‑overdose mortality between 2022 and 2023, yet deaths involving cocaine and psychostimulants continued to climb and some racial groups (Black non‑Hispanic, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander) saw increases. The result is a shifting epidemic: progress on fentanyl‑driven mortality in one year coexists with persistent and rising stimulant‑involved deaths and widening racial patterns. — Policymakers and public‑health systems must pivot strategies and funding from a fentanyl‑only response to integrated, regionally targeted polysubstance interventions and equity‑focused services.