LOUISVILLE, Ky (WDRB) — Kentucky is celebrating four straight years of declining overdose deaths statewide.
Gov. Andy Beshear said in a news release Wednesday that Kentucky saw 22.5% decrease in overdose deaths from 2024 to 2025 and a 50.8% decrease from 2021.
2025 also marked the lowest number of deaths since 2014 at 1,110.
"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," Beshear said.
This is all according to the Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report, which tracks overdose deaths and related trends across the state.
According to that report, more than $29 million was distributed in grant and pass-through funding from the Office of Drug Control Policy. Additionally, 39 Kentucky counties are certified as Recovery Ready Communities, a program that allows communities to review and improve their local addiction treatment and recovery services.
The report also said 182,810 doses of naloxone — better known as Narcan — were administered, and more than 137,000 people received addiction treatment.
In addition to expanded addiction treatment through Medicaid and other prevention programs, Beshear credited stronger law enforcement as a reason for this decline.
In 2025, state police made 5,141 drug-related arrests and seized more than $18.9 million worth of drugs, including $277,000 worth of fentanyl, over $2.1 million worth of cocaine, and nearly $4.4 million worth of methamphetamine.
"My administration is fighting for the inches that become the miles of progress to save more lives and protect more families from the heartbreak and pain that comes with addiction," Beshear said.
To view the full report, click here.
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