The Brief

The deadliest phase of the street fentanyl crisis appears to have ended, as drug deaths continue to drop at an unprecedented pace. For the first time, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have now seen at least some recovery.

A new analysis of U.S. overdose data conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also found that the decline in deaths began much earlier than once understood, suggesting improvements may be sustainable.

"This is not a blip. We are on track to return to levels of [fatal] overdose before fentanyl emerged," said Nabarun Dasgupta, lead researcher on the project, which examined overdose records from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dasgupta's team found deaths linked to fentanyl and other street drugs have already plunged in many states to levels not seen since 2020. That's when the spread of fentanyl and the COVID pandemic dealt a one-two punch, triggering a catastrophic surge of fatal overdoses.

"After all this time looking at overdose deaths, this is what we've been hoping for," Dasgupta said. "It has been a complete shock to see the numbers declining in the way they have been."

Overall drug deaths in the U.S. are down roughly a quarter, according to provisional CDC data. That includes fentanyl and other illicit drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine.

Dr. Nora Volkow, head of the U.S. government's National Institute on Drug Abuse, said the decline in fatal overdoses linked to fentanyl is even greater.

"From fentanyl it's a 30.6% [drop in deaths] in one year. That's a huge reduction," Volkow said. "It's very, very exciting to see."

Fewer deaths as drug users adapt and use Narcan

Drug deaths in the U.S. have now dropped from a peak of 114,000 in 2023 to just under 87,000, according to the latest provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia. City officials, nonprofit groups, churches and other organizations have attempted to reduce the amount of open street drug use, but most locals say progress has been slow. While deaths are down, people struggling with addiction are visible on most streets.

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In the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, where drug use has long been a widespread public health concern, many people told NPR they believe the situation has improved.

"I can tell, you know, the numbers [of people dying] dropped a lot," said Elena, who regularly smokes fentanyl and xylazine, also known as tranq.

NPR agreed not to use the last names of people who were interviewed about their drug use because the activity is illegal under state and federal law.

"A lot more people started smoking instead of shooting [injecting fentanyl with needles] and I think that made a difference," Elena said. While still highly risky, research suggests smoking fentanyl is considered safer than injecting.

Elena's partner, Vadim, who also smokes fentanyl laced with xylazine, said people facing severe addiction have adapted to fentanyl's incredible potency, often using smaller quantities.

"I think people have adjusted. When fentanyl first came out, people were used to shooting heroin. That's why they were dying. You need a lot less [fentanyl]," he said.

One other factor, they said, is naloxone, also known as Narcan, which is much more widely available now. The medication is used to reverse overdoses. Elena and Vadim said they had both been "narcaned" repeatedly by friends, which might have saved their lives.

Public health experts say these factors — along with more readily available addiction treatment and a decline in the potency of street fentanyl — likely contributed to the rapid decline in fatal overdoses here and around the country.

Statewide in Pennsylvania, drug deaths are down roughly a third from the peak. At least 18 states have seen similar drops, with Arkansas (40% drop) and North Carolina (52.9% drop) achieving the biggest improvements.

"It's very, very exciting to see that it's dramatically decreasing," Volkow said.

Could the U.S. return to "normal" drug death levels not seen since fentanyl hit?

Volkow and Dasgupta said there's growing evidence this shift is long-term and sustainable, though they agreed it's still not clear why deaths are dropping so fast.

Dr. Nabarun Dasgupta, a researcher at the University of North Carolina, is an expert on the U.S. street drug supply. He believes data shows a sudden drop in drug overdose deaths nationwide that could already by saving "roughly 20,000 lives" per year.

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Pearson Ripley

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Indeed, Dasgupta's more precise analysis of CDC records found many states actually saw overdose deaths begin dropping in 2021 and 2022, much earlier than previously reported.

"It's a clear public health improvement no matter how you measure it. It has been sustained in some states for years," Dasgupta said.

Dasgupta and Volkow also said that if the current trend holds, the U.S. could return to a level of fatal overdose not seen since 2016, when fentanyl began replacing heroin in the street drug supply.

"It would be exciting if one could return to those values, because fentanyl just turned us upside down," Volkow said.

The latest CDC provisional data did show five low-population Western states experiencing an uptick in drug deaths, including fentanyl, in 2024. The cumulative rise of roughly 260 fatal overdoses was clustered mostly in Nevada. But even those states are now below their peaks.

The result nationally is roughly 25,000 fewer deaths from fentanyl and other street drugs.

More survivors means more need for health care and addiction treatment

Still, Dasgupta — and other addiction experts interviewed by NPR — said this isn't a moment to declare victory. People surviving addiction to fentanyl and other toxic street drugs are often still profoundly unwell.

Christopher Moraff works for a nonprofit group in Pennsylvania called PA Groundhogs that tests street drug samples, monitoring for changes in the illegal supply sold by gangs and dealers.

A sign says "Narcan nasal spray here" in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia on Feb. 26. People living with addiction, medical doctors, harm reduction activists and others told NPR that the wide availability of Narcan, also called naloxone, has been a game changer. Annual fatal overdoses across Pennsylvania have dropped by more than 30% from the peak.

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Rachel Wisniewski for NPR

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According to Moraff, the latest samples show fentanyl potency dropping by as much as 50%, often replaced by powerful animal tranquilizers such as xylazine and medetomidine.

"Xylazine causes severe wounds on people but it requires a large amount of it to be fatal," he said, a sharp contrast with fentanyl, which can be deadly even in tiny doses.

Dr. Ben Cocchiaro, a Philadelphia physician who treats patients experiencing addiction in the Kensington neighborhood, agreed that new drugs being sold on the street appear to kill fewer people, while still causing serious harm.

"It does seem to be less lethal, but not less dangerous," Cocchiaro said. "We're seeing plenty of problems that come from [these substances]. Xylazine has really bad skin wounds. Medetomidine has just a terrible withdrawal syndrome."

As more people avoid fatal overdoses, experts said there could actually be a rise in visible drug use in neighborhoods like Kensington, accompanied by a sharp increase in need for health care, housing, recovery treatment and other support.

"In some ways, counting bodies is easier than counting the amount of trauma and infections and other harms that people are experiencing from an unregulated drug supply," Dasgupta said.

Back on the street, Elena and Vadim agreed that while fewer people are dying, the drugs they use often leave them dangerously ill.

"I did end up with some tranq sores, some wounds," said Elena, referring to xylazine by its street name.

She was also infected with MRSA, a medication-resistant strain of bacteria that spreads on contaminated street drug gear.

"I was hospitalized for that. It was pretty bad," she said.

"I have hope," Elena said. "I have to, you know?" Vadim (left) and Elena told NPR they have lived for periods of time in recovery, not using fentanyl or other street drugs, before relapsing. Addiction experts say the drop in fatal overdose deaths gives people more time and more opportunity to heal.

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Rachel Wisniewski for NPR

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Still, experts said the fact that tens of thousands of people like Vadim and Elena are still alive nationwide represents major progress. Addiction research shows people who use drugs often achieve long-term recovery, if they can avoid fatal overdoses.

"Recovery is possible, it's how much you want it," Vadim said. "We've both had clean time [between drug-use relapses] so you know, it's possible."

"I have hope," Elena said. "I have to, you know?"
Copyright 2025 NPR

This story first appeared on The LA Local.

Since 1977, Richard Santillan has been to every Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium. 

“The tradition goes from my father, to me, to my children and grandchildren. Some of my best memories are with my father and children here at Dodger Stadium,” Santillan told The LA Local, smiling under the shade of palm trees near the entrance to the ballpark Wednesday morning. He was there to protest the team less than 24 hours before Opening Day.

Santillan, like countless other loyal Dodgers fans, is grappling with his fan identity over the team’s decision to accept an invitation to the White House and owner Mark Walter’s ties to ICE detention facilities.

More than 30 people joined Santillan on Wednesday morning for a press conference held near 1000 Vin Scully Drive to convey a message directly to the team. 

“We are demanding the Dodgers stop participating in funding of inhumane treatment of families and do not go to the White House to celebrate with the criminal in chief,” Evelyn Escatiola told the crowd. “Together, we have the power to make a change.”

Escatiola, a former dean of East Los Angeles College and longtime community organizer, urged fans to flex their economic power by “letting the Dodgers know that we do not support repression.”

Jorge “Coqui” Rodriguez, a lifelong Dodgers fan, spoke to the crowd and called on Dodgers ownership to divest from immigration detention centers owned and operated by GEO Group and CoreCivic.

Jorge Coqui H Rodriguez speaks at a press conference outside Dodger Stadium on March 25, 2026, to demand the Dodgers not to visit the White House following their 2025 World Series win.

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J.W. Hendricks

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In a phone interview a day before the protest, Rodriguez told The LA Local he did not want the Dodgers using his “cheve” or beer money to fund detention centers. 

“They can’t take our parking money, our cacahuate money, our cheve money, our Dodger Dog money and invest those funds into corporations that are imprisoning people. It’s wrong,” Rodriguez said. 

Rodriguez considers the Dodgers one of the most racially diverse teams and said the players need to support fans at a time when heightened immigration enforcement has become more common across L.A.

The team’s 2025’s visit to the White House drew ire from the largely Latino fan base, citing the Trump administration’s ongoing attacks on immigrants. 

In June, the team came under further scrutiny when rumors swirled online that federal immigration agents were using the stadium’s parking, which immigration authorities later denied in statements posted on social media accounts.

The team again came under fire after not releasing a statement on the impacts of ICE raids on its mostly Latino fan base at the height of immigration enforcement last summer. The team later agreed to invest $1 million to support families affected by immigration enforcement.

When he learned the Dodgers were pledging only $1 million to families in need, Rodriguez called the amount a  “slap in the face.” 

“These guys just bought the Lakers for billions of dollars and they give a million dollars to fight for legal services? That’s a joke,” Rodriguez said. “They need to have a moral backbone and not be investing in those companies.”

According to reporting from the Los Angeles Times, former Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershawsaid last week that he is looking forward to the trip.

“I went when President [Joe] Biden was in office. I’m going to go when President [Donald] Trump is in office,” Kershaw said. “To me, it’s just about getting to go to the White House. You don’t get that opportunity every day, so I’m excited to go.”

The Dodgers have yet to announce when their planned visit will take place. 

Santillan sometimes laments his decision to give up his season tickets in protest of the team. His connection to the stadium and the memories he has made there with family and friends will last a lifetime, he said. On Thursday, he will uphold his tradition and be there for the first pitch of the season, but with a heavy heart.

“It’s a family tradition, but the Dodgers have a lot of work to do,” he said.

A local favorite mom-and-pop bookshop in Eagle Rock is facing displacement due to a steep rent hike. The owners say theirs is just one of several small businesses along Eagle Rock Boulevard struggling to keep up with lease increases.

Over the past 19 years, many in the neighborhood have come to love READ Books for its eclectic collection of used titles and shop dog Florence.

Co-owner Jeremy Kaplan said it’s been a delight to grow with the community over the years.

“Like seeing kids come back in, who were in grade school and now they’re in college,” Kaplan said.

But the building where Kaplan and wife Debbie rent was recently sold, and the rent increased by more than 130% to $2,805 a month, Kaplan said. He told LAist it was an increase his small business simply could not absorb.

Kaplan said he originally was given 30 days notice of the rent increase. After some research, assistance from Councilmember Ysabel Jurado’s office and some pro-bono legal help, Kaplan said he pushed back and got the 90-day notice he’s afforded by state law.

California Senate Bill 1103 requires landlords to give businesses with five or less employees 90 days’ notice for rent increases exceeding 10%, among other protections.

Systems Real Estate, the property management company, did not immediately respond to LAist’s request for comment.

What can small businesses do? 

Nadia Segura, directing attorney of the Small Business Program at pro bono legal aid non-profit Bet Tzedek said California law does not currently allow for rent control for commercial tenancies.

Outside of the protections under SB 1103, Segura said small businesses like READ Books don’t have much other recourse. And even then, commercial landlords are not required to inform their tenants of their protections under the law.

“There’s still a lot of people that don’t know about SB 1103. And then it’s very sad that they tell them they have these rent increases and within a month they have to leave,” Segura said.

She said her group is seeing steep rent hikes like this for commercial tenants across the city.

“We are seeing this even more with the World Cup coming up, the Olympics coming up. And I will say it was very sad to see that also after the wildfires,” Segura said.

Part of Bet Tzedek’s ongoing work is to advocate for small businesses, working with landlords who are increasing rents to see if they are willing to give business owners longer leases that lock in rents.

What’s next 

After READ Books posted about their situation on social media, commenters chimed in to express their outrage and love for the little shop.

While he looks for a new spot, Kaplan says he’s forming a coalition of local businesses and activist groups to see what can be done to help other small businesses facing similar displacement. He wants to address the displacement issue for businesses like his, which have made Eagle Rock the distinctive neighborhood that it is today.

Owl Talk, a longtime Eagle Rock staple selling clothing and accessories in a unit in the same building as READ Books, is facing a “more than double” rent increase, according to a post on their Instagram account.

Kaplan said he’s been in touch with the office of state Assemblywoman Jessica Caloza and wants to explore the possibility of introducing legislation to set up protections for small businesses like his, including rent-control measures or a vacancy tax for landlords. Kaplan said he also reached out to the office of state Sen. Maria Durazo.

By his count, Kaplan said there are about a dozen businesses within surrounding blocks that are at risk of closing their doors or have shuttered due to rent increases or other struggles.

When READ Books was founded during the Great Recession, Kaplan said he knew it was a longshot to open a bookstore at the same time so many were struggling to stay in business.

“It was kind of interesting to be doing something that neighborhoods needed. That was important to me growing up, that was important to my children, that was important to my wife growing up,” Kaplan said.

“And then somebody comes in and says, ‘We’re gonna over double your rent.”

Topline:

Frozen budget: Most of the city’s Bureau of Street Lighting budget comes from an assessment that people who own property illuminated by lights pay on their county property tax bill. The amount people pay depends on the kind of property they own and how much they benefit from lighting. A typical single-family home currently pays $53 annually, and in total, the assessments bring in about $45 million annually for the city to repair and maintain streetlights. Changing the amount the Bureau of Street Lighting gets from the assessment requires a vote among property owners who benefit from the lights.

Ballots: L.A. City Council’s vote gives city staff the green light to prepare and send out those ballots. Miguel Sangalang, who oversees the bureau, said at a committee meeting earlier this month that he expects to send out ballots by April 17. Notices about the ballots will be sent out prior to the ballots themselves.

Near unanimous vote: L.A. City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez was the only “No” vote Tuesday, saying she wanted to see a more current strategic plan for the bureau. Sangalang said the bureau developed a plan in 2022 that lays out how money will be spent. Councilmember Imelda Padilla was absent for the vote.

Vote count: Votes will be weighted according to the assessment amount. Basically, the more you’re asked to pay yearly to maintain streetlights, the more your vote will count. Ballots received before June 2 will be tabulated by the L.A. City Clerk.

How much more money: According to a report, the amount needed in assessments from property owners to meet the repair and maintenance needs of the city’s streetlighting in the next fiscal year is nearly $112 million.

Use of the money: Sangalang said at a March 11 committee meeting that the extra funds would be used to double the number of staff to handle repairs and procure solar streetlights, which don’t face the threat of copper wire theft. That would all potentially reduce the time it takes to repair simple fixes down to a week. Currently, city residents wait for months to see broken streetlights repaired. The assessment would come with a three-year auditing mechanism.