Kentucky recorded its fourth consecutive year of declining overdose deaths in 2025, marking substantial progress in the state's fight against an opioid crisis that has claimed thousands of lives, according to an announcement from Gov. Andy Beshear's office.

According to the 2025 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report, 1,110 Kentuckians died from drug overdoses last year, representing a 22.9% decrease from 2024 and a 50.8% decrease from 2021 when Kentucky recorded the highest number of overdose deaths in state history.

"We mourn all 1,101 Kentuckians who lost their lives to a drug overdose last year," Beshear said. "While we are proud of the progress we have made in fighting addiction, we know we must continue working every day to save more Kentuckians from addiction."

The figure represents the lowest number of overdose deaths recorded since 2014 and the second-largest single-year decrease since Kentucky began reporting overdose deaths in 2012.

State officials credited the decline to coordinated efforts across multiple sectors. More than $29 million was distributed in grant and pass-through funding from the Office of Drug Control Policy, and nearly 183,000 doses of Narcan were distributed in the state last year. During the first three months of this year, Kentucky State Police seized more than $5.4 million worth of drugs, officials reported.

The two substances most frequently involved in overdose deaths continued to be fentanyl, present in 45.4% of deaths, down from 62.3% in 2024, and methamphetamine, present in 49.5% of deaths, down from 50.8% in 2024.

Among Black Kentuckians, 129 deaths in 2025 were attributed to drug overdose — a 25.4% decrease compared with the prior year and the second straight annual decline among that demographic, according to the report.

Van Ingram, executive director of the Office of Drug Control Policy, said the progress reflects a statewide commitment to recovery. "Addiction has affected every state in our nation and has caused insurmountable harm to families and future generations," Ingram said. "But Kentuckians did not just accept this fate. We got up and we fought back."

Those struggling with addiction or concerned about a family member's substance use can connect with treatment providers at FindHelpNowKy.org or by contacting the KY HELP Statewide Call Center at 1-833-8KY-HELP (1-833-859-4357).