In 2024, overdose deaths decreased in the United States by 24%. That’s nearly 30,000 fewer deaths compared to 2023, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These are the lowest numbers the country has seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“One of the things that we've been working diligently on is to increase access to naloxone, commonly referred to as Narcan, and that has, I believe, made a very big impact in the reduction [of] the number of deaths.”- Jill Phillips, Shasta Substance Use Coalition facilitator
North State counties have fallen in line with the national figures. Butte County recently reported a 14% decrease in overdose deaths from 2023, according to a report from the Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force. Shasta County also saw a sharp decrease between 2023-2024.
“We had 58 fentanyl related deaths in 2023, and we're down to 33 in 2024 and that equates to a 43% decrease,” said Jill Phillips, a facilitator for the Shasta Substance Use Coalition.
The coalition was formed in 2021 and is composed of more than 20 different organizations. As a county partner, the group works on preventing overdoses, educating and reducing harm associated with substance use.
“What we're doing is working to come together so that we can more effectively address the issue,” Phillips said.
Getting life-saving medication into more hands
The coalition has been tackling the issue mainly by providing access to supportive services and tracking overdoses. The data is collected through the Shasta County Coroner’s Office, emergency medical services (EMS) and the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program.
Fentanyl accounts for a large number of Shasta County’s overdose deaths, but overall, the coalition found that there was a 35% decrease in total opioid overdose deaths in 2024.
“One of the things that we've been working diligently on is to increase access to naloxone, commonly referred to as Narcan, and that has, I believe, made a very big impact in the reduction [of] the number of deaths,” Phillips said.
Naloxone is a medication that can stop an overdose and save lives. The coalition has worked to increase the availability of naloxone within the county and distributed more than 8,500 boxes of the drug last year.
“It's really great to just get out and talk to people about this, so that they have a little better understanding about what addiction is. They understand the dangers. They understand what can be done about it, and that they have an opportunity to save a life."- Jill Phillips, Shasta Substance Use Coalition facilitator
Right now, the coalition has two naloxone vending machines set up in the Redding Rancheria Tribal Health Systems. Phillips said the coalition is hoping to add about seven more vending machines to rural areas at high risk of overdoses.
Phillips also said that more than 100 stores in the area have agreed with the coalition to keep a supply of naloxone on hand in case of an emergency, with some making it available to the public.
Support extends from overdose reversal to grief recovery
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that naloxone would be available to all residents at a discounted price. Naloxone from the Shasta Substance Use Coalition is free.
The coalition also hosts naloxone training for schools and other organizations, where they teach them how to administer the drug in an overdose situation.
“It's really great to just get out and talk to people about this, so that they have a little better understanding about what addiction is. They understand the dangers. They understand what can be done about it, and that they have an opportunity to save a life,” she said.
Additionally, Phillips said the coalition hopes to develop a new “leave behind program.” In cases where EMS providers or law enforcement are present at an overdose, they can leave behind naloxone and instructions on how to use it.
However, Phillips said naloxone might be just one piece of the solution.
“We're seeing our numbers of individuals who are participating in treatment programs increase,” Phillips said.
For families that have lost loved ones to substance use, the coalition also offers a local chapter of the support group, Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing.
Starting May 21, the group will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at 1890 Park Marina Dr. in Redding.
