Across the United States, drug overdose is one of the leading causes of death for young people. Fentanyl is now involved in the majority of overdose deaths nationwide, driving unprecedented increases since 2019. In Los Angeles County, overdose deaths have more than tripled in recent years, with Black residents experiencing some of the highest increases. Youth navigating racism, poverty, and criminalization are often left without the resources they need to stay safe.

Overdose rates for Black youth and young adults have risen at significantly faster rates than for white youth in recent years. In LA County, Black residents die from overdoses at disproportionately higher rates compared to their share of the population. Communities in South Los Angeles—already over-policed and under-resourced—face compounded risks from housing instability, limited access to culturally responsive care, and criminalization rather than treatment.

For decades, drug use has been met with arrest and incarceration instead of public health investment. Nationally, hundreds of thousands of people are arrested each year for drug-related offenses, despite evidence showing that punishment does not reduce substance use or overdose deaths. In LA County, resources continue to flow toward policing and jails, while harm reduction, prevention, and youth mental health services remain underfunded—leaving young people without life-saving support.