Livingston County recorded three opioid-related overdose deaths in 2025, down from six a year earlier and 11 in 2023, according to the latest quarterly data released by the county Health Department.
County officials said the local opioid death rate remained below the statewide average, continuing a decline that Public Health Director Jennifer Rodriguez called encouraging while warning that prevention work must continue.
The county's accompanying report shows its opioid overdose death rate fell to 4.9 per 100,000 residents during the second quarter of 2025. The comparable statewide rate, excluding New York City, was 9.6 per 100,000.
New York's Department of Health publishes quarterly county-level reports covering opioid overdoses, emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Rodriguez said the data helps counties identify substance-use trends, direct resources and plan prevention and harm-reduction efforts.
"The decline we're seeing in opioid-related deaths is encouraging, but we need to remain vigilant," Rodriguez said. "This data will help us as we continue building on the prevention programs that are making a demonstrable difference here in Livingston County."
Livingston County launched an opioid awareness and education campaign in October 2025 aimed at reducing misuse and the stigma associated with addiction. The campaign includes personal recovery stories, educational messages and information about mental health resources.
The county also cited provisional federal data showing that annual drug overdose deaths nationwide have fallen for three consecutive years to their lowest level since 2019. Nearly 70,000 people died from drug overdoses in the United States in 2025, including about 44,500 deaths involving opioids, according to the release.
Residents seeking information about local prevention, treatment and support programs can contact the Livingston County Department of Health at 585-243-7250 or visit LivingstonHope.org.
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