Fewer Philadelphians are dying from drug overdoses, according to new city data released Wednesday, which shows a decline in fatalities for the first time in five years.
Data from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health show that an estimated 1,122 residents died from drug overdoses in 2023. Itβs a small drop from the 1,207 confirmed deaths that occurred the previous year.
The overdose fatality data is preliminary and subject to change until finalized at a later date, city officials said. The data only reflects overdose deaths among Philadelphia residents and does not include overdose deaths that occurred in the city among non-residents.