The fentanyl death rates were dropped in Colorado and throughout the nation

Colorado Springs, Colorado (KKTV) – Illegal Fentanyl has committed many nationwide, a large part of the opioid crisis. 11 News learned that the number of deaths of overdoses has decreased. A look at the National Fentany Awareness Day on April 29.

Porch Light Health, an addiction treatment center, said 11 news that the deaths of Fentanyl overdoses in Colorado decreased by 13.9% and nationally and fell by 28% in 2024.

“In 2023 there were around 114,000 deaths, and we cut it to about 88 in 2024,” said Steve Carleton, Chief Clinical Officer by Porch Light Health.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used in hospitals and emergency environments to help patients with severe pain after surgery. On the other hand, with illegally manufactured fentanyl there is no idea of ​​potency or how much fentanyl is in these fake pills. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, 42% of the pills tested on Fentanyl contained at least 2 mg substance. This is considered potentially deadly dose.

According to Porch Light Health, this is the fourth wave of the opioid crisis, starting with medicines, then pill mill and on the street.

“All of these people who were dependent on these substances that were no longer prescribed means that people turn to the street and they saw a great increase in heroin,” said Carleton. “However, the demand for these drugs was so high that illegal drug dealers could not keep up with this demand. This is how Fentanyl came into force because they made it cheap and easy to manufacture. We know that most of it comes across our southern border, but we also know that people can buy these people. They have huge fields with poppy seeds to expand these plants to get the opium. breaking BadRight? You don't need much space. “

The addiction treatment center announced with 11 messages that the death rates of the overdose due to medication for addiction treatment and naloxone (Narcan) decreased.

“Narcan is the drug that reverse the effects of overdose and death,” said Carleton. “In Colorado last year we were able to get 16,000 cans of Narcan out of public, and what people need to know when they wear Narcan, they are not the one who will use it on themselves.”

With 11 news, Porch Light Health announced that they expect the number of fentanyl deaths overdose in 2025, and as a nation we are making progress.

Click here to learn more about the resources of Fentanyl and Porch Light Health.

Copyright 2025 KKTV. All rights reserved.