Overdose deaths drop in Philadelphia
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Fatal drug overdoses have fallen in Philadelphia for the first time in five years.
The big picture: Overdose deaths are declining rapidly nationwide, but still claim the lives of more than 100,000 people a year.
By the numbers: After a record high in 2022, Philly's overdose deaths dropped 7% to 1,316 in 2023, per recently released state data.
- While that's the first decline since 2018, it's still the second-highest total on record.
Opioids caused the bulk of the overdose deaths (nearly 81%) in Philly, fueled by synthetic fentanyl.
- The animal tranquilizer xylazine has also increasingly infiltrated the city's illegal heroin market over the past few years, which has been linked to overdoses.
Zoom in: Overdose deaths in Philly disproportionately affect Black and Hispanic individuals.
- The figures show communities of color accounted for a growing share of deaths in recent years, while their white counterparts have seen declines.
Threat level: Fatal overdoses are the third leading cause of death among Philly residents, per recently released city data.
Zoom out: Nationally, there was a 10% decline in the number of overdose deaths over a 12-month period ending in April, per the most recent CDC data.
- And Pennsylvania saw a 19% year-over-year decrease in drug overdose deaths in that timeframe.
Between the lines: We need more data and research to determine what's driving the national decline in deaths, but experts have theories.
- The reversal drug naloxone is more widely available, and more drug users carry the medication with them for safety.
- Many of the pandemic-era circumstances — like social isolation, increased stress and people using drugs alone — are less prominent factors now.
What we're watching: Mayor Cherelle Parker has pledged to dismantle open-air drug markets in Kensington.
- She is also bolstering the city's drug treatment services with a new facility in Northeast Philly, which could partially open in the coming months.
Meanwhile, the Parker administration is expected to release city data on the full overdose death toll for 2023 before the end of the year, which will provide more insights into Philadelphia's opioid crisis.