“Researchers found that naloxone use did not increase relative to the number of overdoses as deaths have fallen since 2023, suggesting that other factors may be driving the national decline in overdose deaths…

Comparing trends before and after May 2023, researchers found that nonfatal drug overdoses were 20.9% below levels projected from earlier trends, while opioid-related overdoses were 32.7% below projections. Naloxone administrations also fell, dropping 21.3% below projected levels.

Because fewer overdoses would naturally mean fewer people needing naloxone, the researchers also examined how often the medication was administered relative to the declining number of overdoses. They found that naloxone was being used at nearly the same rate as before the decline. Use by bystanders, including friends and family members, however, was 28.6% lower than expected based on earlier trends, even after accounting for the decline in overdoses.

Barnett said the findings suggest that fewer overdoses overall — possibly because of changes in the illicit drug supply or how people use opioids — may be helping drive the decline in deaths rather than more people being revived with the medication.”

From Brown University.