Overdose death numbers trending downward across state, county
Like in Butler County, the number of overdose deaths statewide is shrinking, according to the state Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
The department’s overdose prevention program annual report for 2024 and 2025 draws the conclusion from the growing number of naloxone distributions and overdose reversals being reported.
It does not include the specific number of overdose deaths recorded in 2025. It noted death data is often delayed by three to six months, and the 2025 numbers may change.
“By distributing nearly 800,000 doses of naloxone through our Overdose Prevention Program, we prevented nearly 9,500 overdose deaths in 2025,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said.
The department recorded 11,425 overdose reversals from 824,852 naloxone doses distributed by local providers between Oct. 1, 2024, and Sept. 30, 2025. It divided its findings into three-month quarters, with the most reversals being 3,757 recorded statewide between April 1 and June 30 of 2025.
It also recorded 922,425 fentanyl and xylazine test strips distributed with the most being 277,325 test strips distributed between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024. It said the increased distributions are “a clear sign that these supplies are being used consistently and effectively across communities.”
Community organizations and events and walk-in and pickup requests were how most supplies were distributed.
The report also includes numbers specific to each county. It said Butler County providers distributed 7,728 naloxone doses and 17,000 test strips from Dec. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025.
Based on data recorded between January and June of 2025, the department concluded the counties of Beaver, Fayette and Jefferson could benefit most from increased targeted efforts to strengthen engagement and accessibility. In previous reports, it had identified Lawrence, Beaver, Fayette and Elk counties as needing additional outreach.
In 2023, the department recorded an overdose death rate of 3.6 deaths per 10,000 residents across the 67 counties with 4,720 total deaths, which was a 9% decrease from 2022.
According to its data, Butler County recorded 43 overdose deaths in 2023. The following year, former Butler County Coroner William F. Young III reported 44 overdose deaths in his annual report.
At the Nov. 18 meeting of the Butler County Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board, director Donna Jenereski reported 20 confirmed overdose deaths in the county with five pending cases, which was down from 35 confirmed overdose deaths and six pending cases at the same time the previous year.
The board did not hold a December meeting. Its next meeting will be at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 20 at the Butler County Government Center.
The board also touted its successful treatment and prevention programs at the November meeting. It said the Strengthening Families Program, which began Oct. 22, included four families with 17 individuals participating, which is the largest number enrolled since the program started in January 2024.
Butler County Drug Task Force chief detective Tim Fennell said his personnel conducted multiple joint investigations in 2024 alongside Pennsylvania State Police, the Office of the Attorney General and Drug Enforcement Administration that may have contributed to the decrease.
