Fentanyl Deaths Declining in DFW: Data Shows Progress, and the DA’s Office Is Part of the Solution

Fentanyl Deaths Declining in DFW: Data Shows Progress, and the DA's Office is Part of the Solution

Fentanyl remains a major public health threat, but recent data suggests there is real progress in combating it. According to the newly released 2025 Threat Assessment by the Texoma High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), fentanyl-related deaths are declining in Dallas County.

While fentanyl was still responsible for the highest number of drug overdoses both fatal and non-fatal in 2024, the numbers show a downward trend. In 2023, Dallas County reported 282 fentanyl-related deaths. As of November 2024, that number had dropped to approximately 140, more than a 50% decrease.

So, what’s behind this shift? HIDTA attributes the decline to enhanced prevention efforts such as the deployment of opioid response teams, peer navigators in hospital emergency departments, and expanded public education campaigns.

The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office has been an active partner in these efforts, working to be part of the solution beyond courtroom prosecutions. District Attorney John Creuzot has prioritized community-driven strategies aimed at addressing the crisis holistically.

One significant initiative was the DA’s push to bring Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP) technology to Dallas. When state law created barriers under the Texas Medical Records Act that limited participation by law enforcement and EMS agencies, the DA’s Office advocated for legislative changes to resolve the issue. With broad support from the city of Dallas - especially City Council Members Paula Blackmon and Adam Bazaldua, lawmakers and stakeholders, the law was updated, clearing the way for local agencies to participate in ODMAP without liability concerns. The program uses real-time data and analytics to identify overdose hotspots and patterns, enabling faster, more targeted responses.

According to the City of Dallas, there have been 3,903 suspected overdose interventions since 2023. Thanks to overdose mapping technology, this information is now accessible in the field for those on the front lines and shared in real-time.

The DA’s Office also contributed $150,000 in asset forfeiture funds to the Dallas Police Department to support fentanyl-specific efforts. The money funded new equipment to better target dealers, public education initiatives to prevent use, and emergency tools to save lives. Part of those funds equipped every Dallas patrol car with three doses of Narcan, the recommended amount to effectively reverse a fentanyl overdose, which may require more than one dose due to the drug’s potency.

Fentanyl pays no attention to city limits, so support hasn’t been limited to the city of Dallas. The DA’s Office provided $10,000 to the DeSoto Police Department to purchase Narcan, expanding life-saving resources across Dallas County.

Importantly, these contributions come at no cost to taxpayers. The funds come from state-authorized asset forfeitures -- money seized legally from criminal activity.

“Our goal is simple: support our law enforcement partners and prevent unnecessary deaths,” said DA Creuzot. “When agencies work together, we reduce harm and save lives.”

The data from HIDTA reinforces that view. The report directly connects the decline in overdose deaths to a combination of public health and enforcement strategies, including prevention programs and increased access to life-saving tools.

The fentanyl crisis is far from over, but Dallas County’s collaborative approach, with the DA’s Office playing a key role, shows that progress is not only possible, it’s happening.