ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland recorded 1,315 drug overdose deaths in 2025, a 26 percent decrease from the prior year and the lowest annual total in the past decade, according to provisional data released today by the state’s Overdose Data Dashboard and announced by Governor Wes Moore.
The figure marks the fourth consecutive year of declines and represents a 53 percent drop from the historic peak of 2,800 overdose deaths in 2021. Decreases occurred across major drug categories and all major demographic groups. Fentanyl-related overdose deaths fell 31 percent, from 1,314 in 2024 to 906 in 2025.
Among non-Hispanic Black Marylanders, fatal overdoses dropped 31 percent, from 812 to 563. Non-Hispanic white residents saw a 22 percent reduction, from 789 to 618. The most affected demographic—non-Hispanic Black men aged 55 and older—experienced a rate decline to 98.6 deaths per 100,000 from 138.1 in 2024, though the rate remained three times higher than for white men in the same age group.
Governor Wes Moore attributed the progress to community partnerships. “Maryland continues to show that our partnerships with local communities are invaluable in our efforts to reduce overdoses across the state,” Moore said. “We have more work to do—but by working together, we will continue to fight for those seeking recovery.”
Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller highlighted frontline efforts. “While we continue to lose too many of our loved ones, our progress to reduce overdoses and save lives is significant, and we owe a debt of gratitude to everyone who shows up every day to meet people where they are and make connections to substance use care,” Miller said. “This work starts at the ground level, with dedicated partners continuing their efforts to foster relationships and make connections to services that protect the health and well-being of those with substance use disorders.”
Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani emphasized expanded access to care. “Everyone deserves access to substance use recovery, and Maryland is working to ensure that our constituents have multiple pathways to care,” Seshamani said. “From our crisis services that give Marylanders a no-wrong-door way to access help to efforts that make treatment and recovery services easier to find, we are continuing to enhance our support structures so that anyone seeking help has the opportunity to access care whenever they are ready to take the first step toward lasting recovery.”
Overdose Response Programs distributed a record 440,000 doses of naloxone in 2025, along with more than 272,000 fentanyl test strips, both all-time highs for the state. The Maryland Overdose Response Advisory Council continues prioritizing community engagement to address disparities and inform targeted strategies.
Maryland Special Secretary of Overdose Response Emily Keller urged public participation. “Every Marylander can be an important part of our efforts to reduce overdoses,” Keller said. “Every year, hundreds of lives are saved by everyday people who thankfully know what to do in a crisis. I encourage everyone to learn how to recognize the signs of an overdose and how to administer the overdose reversal medication, naloxone. We can all save a life, and we can all make a difference.”
Residents facing substance use issues or behavioral health crises can call or text 988 for immediate support. Treatment options are available through the 988 locator at search.988.mdinfonet.org.
The dashboard data remain provisional and may increase as death investigations conclude. Southern Maryland counties, including Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s, have participated in regional naloxone distribution and harm reduction initiatives aligned with statewide efforts, though county-specific 2025 figures were not detailed in the announcement.
The sustained multi-year decline reflects coordinated responses involving local health departments, law enforcement, recovery organizations and community groups across the state, including in Southern Maryland jurisdictions where opioid misuse has historically strained emergency services in places like La Plata, Leonardtown and Prince Frederick.