The Administration of Governor JB Pritzker announced that Illinois recorded an 8.3 percent drop in overall drug overdose deaths in 2023, exceeding a nationwide decline of 4 percent. Specifically, opioid overdose deaths declined 9.7 percent in the state, compared to 3 percent nationally. The new data shows 3,502 overdose deaths in Illinois from all causes in 2023, 317 fewer than in 2022. The new data comes as the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) unveiled an expanded Overdose Data Dashboard that shares more data and makes the tool easier to use for both researchers and the general public. Looking just at opioids, there were 2,855 fatalities attributed to opioid overdoses in Illinois in 2023, 305 fewer than 2022, a decrease of 9.7 percent. In 2022, total overdose deaths in Illinois increased 5.1 percent from 2021, and deaths involving opioids were up 8.2 percent. IDHS has distributed 1 million 2-dose boxes of Narcan (generically called naloxone) to community-based organizations, substance use disorder treatment centers, harm reduction organizations, hospitals, and clinics across Illinois in the last four years.  If you or someone you know has an opioid use disorder, there is help, including treatment, available immediately, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With the Medication Assisted Recovery Now (MAR NOW) service, a care manager can help callers determine the best treatment options and connect them to a provider for an immediate telephone appointment and medication prescription. To connect with a MAR NOW care manager, visit the Illinois Helpline online at https://helplineil.org, call 833-234-6343, or text “HELP” to 833234. For more information on opioids, visit https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/opioids.html.