Los Angeles County Drug Overdose Statistics: 2024 Data

Los Angeles County experienced its most significant decline in drug-related overdose deaths in recorded history in 2024, recording 2,438 deaths — down 22% from 3,137 in 2023. Fentanyl-related deaths fell 37%, while meth-related deaths dropped 20%. This is the second consecutive year of decline. (Source: LA County Dept of Public Health, June 2025)

2024 Overview: LA County Overdose Deaths

Los Angeles County recorded 2,438 drug-related overdose and poisoning deaths in 2024, down from 3,137 in 2023. This represents the most significant single-year decline in LA County's history and the lowest total since 2019. Key figures: total OD deaths 2,438; fentanyl deaths 1,263 (down 37%); meth-related deaths down 20%; fentanyl's share of accidental OD deaths dropped to 52% from 64%. The decline reflects major public health investments: LA County scaled substance use prevention funding by 260%, treatment by 275%, and harm reduction by 500% in 2024.

Fentanyl in Los Angeles County

Fentanyl remains the dominant driver of fatal overdoses in LA County. It now accounts for 91% of all opioid overdose deaths — up from just 19% in 2016. The synthetic opioid's proliferation in LA's drug supply (into street heroin, counterfeit pills, and increasingly cocaine and meth) means that users of any illicit drug face fentanyl exposure risk. Fentanyl deaths rose 1,652% from 109 in 2016 to 1,910 in 2022 before the recent two-year decline.

Demographics: Who Is Most Affected?

Adults ages 40–64 experienced the highest raw number of fentanyl overdose deaths. Adults ages 26–39 had the highest rate per capita (22.8 per 100,000 population in 2024). Males were nearly four times more likely to die from fentanyl than females. Black residents faced the highest fentanyl death rate at 31.7 per 100,000 — compared to 18.9 for whites, 10.6 for Hispanics/Latinos, and 1.8 for Asians. The least affluent areas saw fentanyl death rates of 39.1 per 100,000, compared to 10.0 in the most affluent areas.

Methamphetamine in LA County

Methamphetamine-related overdose deaths fell 20% in 2024, continuing a downward trend. However, meth remains LA's second most prevalent driver of fatal overdoses and is the dominant substance in many neighborhoods, particularly in the San Fernando Valley and South LA. Meth is also increasingly mixed with fentanyl, raising overdose risk further.

Treatment Resources in Los Angeles

LA County's Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC) operates a Service and Bed Availability Tool (SBAT) to find publicly funded treatment. RecoverLA (recoverla.org) provides a mobile-optimized treatment locator in 13 languages. Free naloxone is available through the OEND program via CHPLA countywide Naloxone Access Points (laodprevention.org) and through the CalRx program at $19/twin-pack OTC at most pharmacies.