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LA County drug overdose deaths declined for third straight year in 2025, mirroring national trend
By Aaron Schrank at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 25, 2026
· 4 min read
L.A. County Department of Health Services EMT Christopher Phan distributes naloxone along Aetna Street in Van Nuys in March 2022. (Christina House / Getty Images)Drug overdose deaths in Los Angeles County dropped 6% in 2025 and have fallen nearly 30% since peaking in 2022, according to a report t...
Key takeaway County Department of Health Services EMT Christopher Phan distributes naloxone along Aetna Street in Van Nuys in March 2022.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The decline in drug overdose deaths in Los Angeles County is a notable trend that reflects the effectiveness of local substance abuse programs. With a 6% drop in 2025, the county's progress mirrors the national trend, but the continued presence of methamphetamine and fentanyl in a significant majority of overdose deaths suggests that more work needs to be done. The fact that fentanyl's role is shrinking, but still a factor in nearly half of the county's overdose deaths, highlights the need for sustained investment in harm reduction strategies. The county's approach, which focuses on keeping drug users alive rather than requiring abstinence, has come under fire from federal officials, but the local data suggests that it is yielding positive results. As the county continues to navigate the complexities of the drug overdose crisis, it will be important to monitor the impact of federal policies on local harm reduction efforts and to advocate for continued funding for these critical programs.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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What is this story about? L.A. County Department of Health Services EMT Christopher Phan distributes naloxone along Aetna Street in Van Nuys in March 2022. (Christina House / Getty Images)Drug overdose deaths in Los Angeles County dropped 6% in 2025 and have fallen nearly 30% since peaking in 2022, according to a report t...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Aaron Schrank at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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