A decade after synthetic opioids surged, Cincinnati is part of a historic decline in deaths

January 15, 2026 / 7:53 PM EST / CBS News

A decade after synthetic opioids surged, Cincinnati is part of a historic decline in deaths

TL;DR

  • Cincinnati, Ohio, was a major front line during America's deadliest drug crisis, particularly with the introduction of carfentanil in 2016.
  • Carfentanil, an ultrapotent synthetic opioid, caused hundreds of overdose deaths in Ohio in the latter half of 2016.
  • Nearly a decade later, areas like Cincinnati are reporting a four-year consecutive reduction in overdose deaths.
  • Nationwide, overdose deaths peaked in 2023 and have been declining since, with predictions of further decreases.
  • Factors contributing to the decrease include the overdose antidote naloxone and a reduction in the potency of drugs from China.
  • President Trump's labeling of illicit fentanyl as a 'weapon of mass destruction' has drawn mixed reactions, with some supporting a crackdown and others believing it won't solve the underlying issue.
  • The effectiveness of treatment programs and the use of federal funding for addiction services are highlighted as crucial elements in combating the crisis.