June 8, 2026 | From City of New Orleans
City of New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services Releases 2025 Annual Opioid Report
NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services released its 2025 Annual Opioid Report, revealing a 4% decrease in accidental overdose deaths across Orleans Parish compared to 2024, building on a significant downward trend that began in 2023. While this decline—from 293 to 282 fatalities—marks continued progress, the report underscores that overdose deaths remain significantly higher than pre‑pandemic levels.
“I am encouraged by the progress highlighted in this report, but the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic are ongoing in our community,” said Mayor Helena Moreno. “Under my administration, we continue to invest in strategies that save lives, expand access to care and tackle the inequities that have allowed this crisis to take root.”
The report indicates racial and gender disparities. Black men accounted for 45% of all overdose deaths, making them the most disproportionately affected demographic in the city. Overdose deaths among women also increased from 22% to 29% of the total. Fentanyl remained the leading driver of mortality, present in 69% of confirmed deaths, followed by cocaine (65%) and methamphetamine (29%).
“Every life lost to overdose is one too many, and these numbers remind us that the work is far from over,” said Dr. Jennifer Avegno, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. “We will continue to invest in evidence-based strategies and work with our community partners to close gaps and save lives.”
New Orleans EMS responded to 1,341 overdose calls in 2025. The community played an even larger role: 2,617 overdose reversals were performed by bystanders, using Narcan (naloxone) distributed through NOHHS and partner organizations. These outcomes demonstrate the life‑saving impact of community education, training, and ongoing harm reduction efforts.
NOHHS and its partners advanced several major initiatives in 2025, including:
- Distribution of 2,482 doses of naloxone across Orleans Parish
- 40 Bystander Response trainings, reaching nearly 600 residents
- Formal launch of the New Orleans Overdose Fatality Review — a team that analyzes overdose deaths to drive systemic improvements
- Competitively awarded funding to launch the Substance Use Mobile Resource Clinic (SUMRC), providing in-the-field medical and substance use services, supply distribution and linkage to comprehensive resources
Looking ahead, NOHHS will focus efforts and opioid settlement funds on:
- Deploying SUMRC services across Orleans Parish
- Launching a Narcan Ambassador program to increase community-led overdose prevention and intervention strategies, as well as continuing widespread naloxone distribution and education to the public
- Expanding the Overdose Fatality Review's analytical scope to include aggregate data analysis and policy recommendations
- Hosting a citywide overdose remembrance vigil in August
- Core behavioral health and harm reduction programs, such as Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT), mobile crisis services, and other initiatives that provide essential care to individuals with substance use disorders.
The complete 2025 Annual Opioid Report is available online.
About the New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services
The New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services works to advance health equity, expand access to care, and strengthen the well‑being of communities across Orleans Parish through prevention, public health programming, and collaborative partnerships.