State Reports Fewer Drug Overdose Deaths in Past Fiscal Year

Illinois recorded an 8.3% drop in overall drug overdose deaths in 2023, exceeding a nationwide decline of 4%. 

Opioid overdose deaths declined 9.7% in the state, compared to 3% nationally. The new data shows 3,502 overdose deaths in Illinois from all causes in 2023, 317 fewer than in 2022.

The overall drop in overdose deaths from any drug in Illinois is the first annual reduction in drug overdose deaths in the state since 2018. Looking just at opioids, there were 2,855 fatalities attributed to opioid overdoses in Illinois in 2023, 305 fewer than in 2022, a decrease of 9.7%. In 2022, total overdose deaths in Illinois increased 5.1% from 2021, and deaths involving opioids were up 8.2%.

Deaths involving synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, decreased by 9.5% in Illinois in 2023. Deaths involving heroin and natual and semisynthetic opioids decreased by 21.2% and 17.4% respectively in 2023.

The figures are available in the Overdose Data Dashboard released by the Illnois Department of Public Health.

Locally, Effingham County Coroner Kim Rhodes reported that there were 10 fatal drug overdoses in the county during Fiscal Year 2024, which ended November 30. That is the highest total since Fiscal Year 2018. However, Rhodes reports there was only one fentanyl death this past year in Effingham County. From 2018 to 2024, there were 16 fentanyl deaths in the county.