Mississippi sees decline in overdose deaths, pushes for continued focus on reducing addiction

Mississippi sees decline in overdose.

Key points

• Jackson County documented the highest rate at 36.9 per 100, 000 residents, an rise from its 2019 rate of 20.9.
• In 2021, that number reached 746 documented overdose deaths, a sharp rise to the 290 deaths recorded in 2018.
• Earlier this week, Governor Tate Reeves (R) issued a proclamation declaring August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day in Mississippi.
• A press conference is now set to take place at the Jackson Medical Mall on Monday at 1: 30 p.m.
• Preseason Conerly Trophy watch list confirmed by Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum.

Mississippi sees decline in overdose deaths, pushes for continued focus on reducing addiction. By: Jeremy Pittari – August 28, 2026.

In practice, the Department of Mental Health notes Mississippi's overdose deaths rose sharply, peaked, and have fallen faster than the nation's, but the burden is not shared evenly throughout the state. See where troubled areas persist.

Overdose deaths in Mississippi have been on the decline previously four years. To highlight the need to keep the focus on reducing addiction and continue that trend, the Department of Mental Health and state leaders are preparing to gather on Monday to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day.

Meanwhile, a press conference is now set to take place at the Jackson Medical Mall on Monday at 1: 30 p.m. It will bring state leaders and overdose survivors together to continue the discussion on prevention.

Four speakers will be featured at the event. They are slated to share their personal experiences with addiction.

Included among the speakers is a former star high school athlete who fell into addiction and was subsequently incarcerated as well as a former military service member who became addicted to opioids after a car collision. A parent who lost a son to overdose and a former gang leader who discovered sobriety and redemption through God are additionally on the speakers' list. Three of the speakers are at present serving their communities as certified peer backing specialists.

For context, the event will additionally spotlight the state's efforts to prevent overdose deaths. It includes the availability of Narcan through vending machines and other free methods, DMH's substance apply awareness and recovery platform Stand Up MS, and the DMH Helpline that connects individuals with addiction assistance.

"Governor Reeves' proclamation and the resources we're highlighting today, from distribution of naloxone to Stand Up MS to highlighting the real voices of recovery, reflect our unwavering commitment to making sure every Mississippian struggling with substance use knows that hope and recovery are within reach, " remarked Wendy Bailey, Executive Director of DMH, in an official note.

Monday's event comes as overdose deaths in the state, and nation, are on the decline.

According to a recent behavioral health needs assessment conducted by DMH and Mississippi State University, there were 449 documented overdose deaths in the Magnolia State during 2025, representing a 39.8% drop since a peak recorded in 2021. In 2021, that number reached 746 documented overdose deaths, a sharp rise to the 290 deaths recorded in 2018. Nationally, overdose deaths have declined by 36.2%, the assessment outlined.

"Every number in our overdose data represents a Mississippian – a family member, a friend, a neighbor. The decline we're seeing is proof that prevention, treatment and access to naloxone save lives, but our work isn't finished, " Bailey remarked.

Meanwhile, the assessment additionally identified that overdoses involving fentanyl have declined. Fentanyl attributed to "85 percent of the 2019-2021 increase (in overdose deaths) and 88 percent of the decline since, " the assessment states.

As the instances of fentanyl-related deaths decline, the assessment demonstrated methamphetamine employ remains an problem for addicts, reflecting the need to shift focus as stimulants take the place of synthetic opioids.

Even though statewide data indicates an overall decline in overdose deaths, the assessment determined cases in some counties continue to rise, particularly within the six-county Gulf Coast region. In the southern part of Mississippi, 26.4 overdose deaths per 100, 000 individuals were noted over the past 12 months. The rest of Mississippi recorded 11.6 overdose deaths per 100, 0000 residents on average in that same period.

Lauderdale County reflected the largest jump in that time, going from a rate of 5.9 in 2019 to the most recent rate of 25.5 overdose deaths per 100, 000 individuals.

Addiction impacts the entire family, particularly when a parent is being incarcerated or otherwise removed from the life of their child. The assessment observed 36, 700 grandparents in Mississippi were serving as the primary caregiver to a grandchild. Counties affected by this trend are not the same as the ones seeing an growth in overdose deaths. Instead, counties where grandparents serve as the primary caregiver are concentrated to the Delta, the assessment indicated. Regarding the Author(s).

Jeremy Pittari is a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast. Born and raised in Slidell, La., he moved to South Mississippi in the early 90s. Jeremy earned an associate in arts from Pearl River Community College and went on to attend the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a bachelor's of arts in journalism. A week after Hurricane Katrina, he began an internship as a reporter with the community newspaper in Pearl River County. After graduation, he accepted a full-time position at that news outlet where he covered the recovery process post Katrina in Pearl River and Hancock Counties. For almost 17 years he wrote concerning local administration, education, law enforcement, crime, business and a variety of other topics. Email Jeremy: [email protected].

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In short, mississippi sees decline in overdose deaths, pushes for continued focus on reducing is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.