Yes.
There were about half as many overdose deaths in Rhode Island in 2025 compared with 2022, according to health department data.
In 2022, there were 436 recorded cases of drug overdose-related deaths in Rhode Island. In 2025, there were 219.
While cases of overdoses from prescription drugs remained relatively flat, overdoses from illicit drugs, such as heroin and fentanyl, decreased from 282 cases in 2022 to 118 in 2025—a 58% reduction.
In Providence, there were 81 overdose deaths in 2025, a 26% reduction from the 110 deaths in 2022. In 2025, Providence saw almost four times as many overdose deaths than the second-highest city in Rhode Island, Woonsocket, which recorded 21 cases.
The State of Rhode Island’s goal is to reduce fatal overdoses by 30% by 2030 by expanding harm reduction services, targeting Naloxone distribution and increasing recovery support. Resources can be found at Prevent Overdose RI.
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Sources
- Prevent Overdose RI Overdose Death Data
- Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Opioid and Stimulant Use Data Hub
- Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Accidental Drug Overdose Deaths Occurring in Rhode Island by Month/Year
- Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Overdose Death Data by Municipality
- Rhode Island Overdose Task Force March 2026 Semi-Annual Report
- Prevent Overdose RI Resources
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