WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – New data shows that overdoses and opioid-related deaths declined in Whatcom County last year.

Whatcom Overdose Prevention says that over 1200 people were treated for suspected overdoses in 2024; an improvement compared to 2023, when emergency services responded to over 1400 overdoses.

Reports were high at the start of the year and opioid overdoses spiked to a two-year high in May.

But all drug overdoses in Whatcom County dropped to a two-year low by August before ticking up once more. Total overdose deaths also fell for the first time in a year to 83.

Efforts on the county, state and federal levels are all being credited in lowering overdose numbers last year.

That includes multi-million-dollar settlements from companies such as Walmart and Kroger, and more naloxone kits being installed.