Louisiana reports 59% drop in opioid deaths despite low misuse ranking

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, opioid-related fatalities decreased by 59% from 2022 through 2025, a sharper decline than the 46.2% reduction seen across the United States. During the same period, opioid-related emergency department visits dropped 52% and the rate of opioid prescriptions per 100 residents fell 10%. Despite these gains, a federal survey by SAMHSA ranked Louisiana 51st out of 51 jurisdictions for past-year opioid misuse and 49th for opioid use disorder.

The survey estimated that about 4.58% of residents aged 12 and older misused opioids, roughly 174,000 people, and that 95,000 had opioid use disorder. Louisiana fared better in treatment access, ranking fifth nationally for people receiving substance-use treatment, yet an estimated 574,000 individuals who needed treatment did not receive it. LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein highlighted the progress in behavioral health while acknowledging the ongoing challenges.