**Why it matters:**
Fentanyl caused most fatal overdoses in Los Angeles County in 2022, surpassing methamphetamine as the primary cause of accidental drug or alcohol overdose deaths. This shift highlights the devastating impact of fentanyl on communities and the urgent need for action to address the overdose crisis.
**What they are saying:**
Amanda Cowan, executive director of Community Health Project Los Angeles, expresses heartbreak over the impact of fentanyl on communities, stating that they are being “decimated.” Dr. Gary Tsai, director of Los Angeles County’s Substance Abuse Prevention and Control program, acknowledges the severity of the overdose crisis and emphasizes the need for continued efforts to improve the system.
The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health report highlights the widespread presence of fentanyl in the illicit drug supply, posing a risk to both casual drug users and individuals with substance misuse disorders. It notes that fentanyl is intentionally added to drugs by traffickers to reduce costs, enhance drug effects, and increase addictiveness. The report also highlights racial disparities in fentanyl overdose deaths, with Black individuals and those in high-poverty areas experiencing higher rates of fatal overdoses.
Ricky Bluthenthal, a professor at the University of Southern California, emphasizes that the racial disparities in fentanyl overdose deaths reflect a national challenge in ensuring accessible medication and naloxone in predominantly African American and Latino neighborhoods. Bluthenthal also points out that L.A.’s heroin supply has been largely replaced by fentanyl, which is significantly more potent.
Tsai mentions some positive trends observed in the data, such as a decrease in overdose deaths among children and a potential slowdown in the rate of increase in fentanyl deaths. However, health officials stress the need for continued vigilance in the face of the ever-evolving illicit drug supply.
**The big picture:**
The rise of fentanyl as the leading cause of fatal overdoses in Los Angeles County mirrors the larger trend of record-high overdose deaths nationwide. The prevalence of fentanyl in the illicit drug market poses a significant threat to public health, requiring comprehensive strategies to address the overdose crisis.
**What to watch:**
It is essential to monitor future data on overdose deaths to assess whether the trend of fentanyl overdose deaths in Los Angeles County is stabilizing or continuing to increase. The impact of fentanyl variants or other potent substances entering the drug supply should also be closely watched.
**My take:**
The growing dominance of fentanyl in causing fatal overdoses is deeply concerning, as it represents both a local and national crisis. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach that includes harm reduction strategies, access to life-saving interventions like naloxone, increased availability of treatment options for substance use disorder, and efforts to disrupt the illicit drug supply chain. Additionally, addressing the racial disparities in fentanyl overdose deaths is crucial to ensure equitable access to resources and support for communities disproportionately affected by this crisis.
