Fatal Drug-Related Overdoses Level Off for First Time in Los Angeles County

Greater Los Angeles Area Counties and larger cities and towns (Photo – Stilfehler)

Drug-related overdose and poisoning deaths from fentanyl and methamphetamine plateaued for the first time in ten years in 2023 in Los Angeles County.

By News Desk

A new Los Angeles County Department of Public Health analysis of Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner data has found that:

This improvement is a step in the right direction after the worst fentanyl overdose crisis in local and national history. It speaks to the health impact of LA County’s expansion of overdose prevention and response efforts.

• Drug-related overdose and poisoning deaths dropped slightly from 3,220 in 2022 to 3,092 in 2023. This was the first reduction in deaths since 2014, after historic increases in overdose and poisoning deaths by over 300% over the past decade.
• Fentanyl continues to be a primary contributor to overdose and poisoning deaths, with methamphetamine being almost equally as deadly.
• Adults between the ages of 26 and 64 continue to represent the highest overdose and poisoning deaths both in raw numbers and rates.
• Black populations are disproportionately represented in overdose and poisoning deaths, whereas Latinx and White populations represent the highest raw numbers of fatalities, respectively. This was the first year in which fentanyl-related Latinx overdose and poisoning numbers rose above that of White populations.
• Overdose and poisoning deaths continue to impact individuals across socioeconomic status and affluence.

This improvement is a step in the right direction after the worst fentanyl overdose crisis in local and national history.  It speaks to the beneficial impact on health by LA County’s expansion of overdose prevention and response efforts.

A spectrum of community-based overdose prevention efforts is essential to save lives and protect public health and safety. In response to the tragic toll of the overdose crisis, Los Angeles County has scaled up investments in substance use prevention 260%, treatment 275%, and harm reduction services by over 500%. The collective impact of these intersecting interventions offers the best opportunity to address the varied needs of County residents and to further reduce overdose and poisoning death rates.