Kentucky recorded its fourth consecutive year of declining drug overdose deaths in 2025, with 1,110 people losing their lives to overdoses according to the 2025 Drug Overdose Fatality Report released Thursday. The figure represents a 22.9% decrease from 2024 and marks the lowest number of overdose deaths recorded since 2014, state officials announced.

Gov. Andy Beshear, citing a collaborative statewide effort, attributed the continued decline to investments in harm reduction, treatment and law enforcement initiatives. The governor noted that since 2021, the peak year for overdose deaths with 2,261 fatalities, Kentucky has reduced overdose deaths by 50.8%.

"For the fourth year in a row, to see these numbers come down, I can't tell you what it means to folks out of the field all across this state, that toil every day, working with people in addiction," said Van Ingram, executive director of the Office of Drug Control Policy, at Beshear's weekly press conference.

The state distributed nearly 183,000 doses of naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, in 2025 and allocated more than $29 million in grant funding to drug prevention, treatment and recovery programs. The state also maintains a free online naloxone locator to help residents find overdose reversal medication.

Fentanyl and methamphetamine remain the primary drivers of overdose deaths in Kentucky. The report found fentanyl present in 504 deaths, a 43% decrease from 2024, while methamphetamine was identified in 549 deaths, a 24% decrease. Most overdose deaths occurred among people ages 45-54, followed by those 35-44 and 55-64.

Jefferson County reported the highest rate of fentanyl-related deaths, followed by Fayette and Kenton counties. Among Black Kentuckians, overdose deaths fell 25.4% in 2025, marking the second consecutive annual decline for that demographic.

The state has expanded access to treatment through Medicaid and other programs, while the Kentucky State Police Angel Initiative, which connects individuals struggling with addiction to recovery resources without questions asked, assisted 15 people in 2025. Beshear pointed to findhelpnow.org/ky as a resource for those seeking treatment options.

"There is no stigma," Beshear said. "Asking for help is one of the bravest things that anyone can do."