San Diego County sees progress in overdose prevention, but challenges remain

By Seraphina Eberhardt

Photo:  District Attorney Summer Stephan, standing with other county officials, speaks at a press conference recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day.  Photo courtesy of Marla Kincade, Substance Abuse and Overdose Taskforce

October 19, 2025 (San Diego) -- San Diego County is seeing progress in the efforts to reduce substance use and overdose, according to the 2025 Annual Report Card released by the Substance Use and Overdose Prevention Taskforce (SUOPT). The report shows that overdose deaths dropped for the second year in a row, falling from 1,203 deaths in 2023 to 945 in 2024, a decrease of 21%.

While this trend is positive, experts stress that overdose deaths are still double what they were in 2015. Serious gaps also remain among different communities, racial and ethnic groups, and people experiencing homelessness.