Drug Overdose Deaths Plateau in Los Angeles County for the First Time in a Decade
In 2023, Los Angeles County experienced a notable shift in its drug overdose trends, as fatalities from drug overdoses and poisonings plateaued for the first time in a decade. Public health officials reported a slight decline from 3,220 deaths in 2022 to 3,092 in 2023, marking a break in the previously unrelenting year-over-year increases.
Dr. Gary Tsai, director of the substance abuse prevention and control division at the L.A. County Department of Public Health, expressed cautious optimism about this development. “We’re excited to see the progress, but also recognize that it’s not a win. We’re still in the worst overdose crisis in history,” he said. Tsai emphasized that the plateau might disrupt the "sense of inevitability" that has characterized the overdose crisis.
Earlier this year, officials noted a stabilization in the rate of deadly overdoses among unhoused people in 2022. This improvement was partly attributed to the widespread distribution of naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication.
The plateau in overdose deaths in L.A. County mirrors national trends, where early estimates also indicate a slight decline. Experts, however, caution against declaring victory prematurely. Dr. David Goodman-Meza, an overdose researcher in L.A. County with Wellness Equity Alliance, noted, “It’s too early to tell. We hope this flattening is related to all the harm reduction activities we’ve been undertaking.”
Despite the overall stabilization, fentanyl remains a significant driver of overdose deaths. From 2016 to 2023, fentanyl-related deaths in L.A. County surged from 109 to 1,970. Fentanyl and methamphetamine are often found together in overdose cases, compounding the danger.
The report from the L.A. County Department of Public Health highlighted several key findings:
Age and Risk: Death rates from fentanyl dropped for young adults ages 18 to 25 for the second consecutive year but continued to rise for other age groups, particularly adults aged 26 to 39. Tsai suggested that younger individuals might avoid risky drug use more easily than those with long-term substance use habits.
Racial Disparities: The mortality rate from fentanyl overdoses among Black residents in L.A. County has continued to rise, reaching approximately twice the rate of white residents. Although white residents saw a slight decline in fentanyl-related deaths, Black communities remain disproportionately affected. Ricky Bluthenthal, a professor at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pointed out that harm reduction efforts have historically struggled to reach Black communities effectively.
Latino Community Impact: The rate of fentanyl-related deaths among Latino residents also increased. While their overall rate remains lower than that of white residents, the number of Latino deaths from fentanyl has now surpassed those of white residents for the first time.
Socioeconomic Factors: Fentanyl has impacted both affluent and impoverished neighborhoods, but the death rate in the poorest areas of L.A. County is at least twice as high as in more affluent regions. The highest rates of fentanyl-related deaths were found in the “Metro” region, encompassing areas from Boyle Heights to West Hollywood, including downtown L.A., Westlake, and Hollywood.
The report underscores the ongoing need for targeted interventions and resources to address the fentanyl crisis and reduce its devastating impact across all communities in Los Angeles County.
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