At least 82 people died of drug overdoses in Montgomery County during 2025. That’s a 6.5% increase from the previous year.
According to the Maryland Department of Health, 46 people died after overdosing on fentanyl, 44 died after overdosing on cocaine, 25 people died due to alcohol overdoses and seven died due to heroin overdoses. (Because some of those who died had more than one substance in their body, the breakdown of specific drugs may be higher than the total.)
Death by Overdose Numbers Statewide
That marks five more deaths than the previous year when 77 people fatally overdosed. Both of the previous years show a deep drop in fatalities. In 2023, there were 138 deaths, according to the Maryland Department of Health.
Statewide, 1,315 people died of drug overdoses, with 906 fentanyl related. That is a decrease of 26%, which represents the lowest level in the past 10 years, according to Gov. Wes Moore.
“Maryland continues to show that our partnerships with local communities are invaluable in our efforts to reduce overdoses across the state,” Moore said. “We have more work to do—but by working together, we will continue to fight for those seeking recovery.”
County Statistics Show Increase
But according to Montgomery County Behavioral Health and Crisis Services Chief Monica Martin, “We have had a slight increase. We also had a much larger decrease last year” as compared with the entire state.
Countywide, overdoses from cocaine show the largest increase, Martin said. But “more than half” of the deaths here involved fentanyl, she said. “It’s the most concerning substance.”
Overall, progress is being made, Martin said. She listed three reasons – more frequent use of naloxone, the county’s educational outreach campaign and more funds to confront the problem due to the opioid settlement money distributed as a result of a lawsuit.
Nearly 31 thousand doses of naloxone were distributed in the county during 2025.
Fentanyl Deaths Down Statewide
Statewide, the number of fentanyl-related overdose deaths decreased by 31 percent, falling from 1,314 in 2024 to 906 last year. Fatal overdoses also decreased by 31 percent among non-Hispanic Black Marylanders They decreased from 812 in 2024 to 563. And there was a falloff of 22 percent among non-Hispanic whites, from 789 to 618.
“While we continue to lose too many of our loved ones, our progress to reduce overdoses and save lives is significant, and we owe a debt of gratitude to everyone who shows up every day to meet people where they are and make connections to substance use care,” said Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller.
“This work starts at the ground level, with dedicated partners continuing their efforts to foster relationships and make connections to services that protect the health and well-being of those with substance use disorders,” she added.
Results Are Preliminary
According to a note on the data dashboard, all numbers are preliminary and could increase pending the outcome of outstanding death investigations.
Information about how to respond to an overdose and how to find and use naloxone can be found at StopOverdose.maryland.gov/naloxone.
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