Consider This from NPR on whether there may be hope in America's opioid overdose crisis:

Drug use remains dangerous and debilitating in America. One person struggling with addiction begged for assistance on a street corner in Burlington, Vermont, according to Carol Guzy from NPR. She reported this incident for their story.
Drug abuse remains dangerously prevalent across America. Recently, someone suffering from addiction pleaded for assistance at a street corner in Burlington Vermont and Carol Guzy was there to document it for National Public Radio (NPR).
Kevin Donaldson mixes fentanyl with an animal tranquilizer called Xylazine for use in Burlington, Vermont and knows first-hand just how dangerous his combination can be. With practice comes wisdom: some users “have learned better ways of dealing with overdoses”, says Donaldson to NPR. Donaldson remains alive today despite witnessing many friends succumb to Fentanyl overdose, yet feels his mortality rate has decreased over time. While Fentanyl-related news dominated local headlines daily for some time, “who was the last overdose we heard about?” he inquired with another. A couple weeks prior or maybe further back was the answer provided: 22% less drug deaths reported by Vermont Department of Health since January 2018 alone (this trend extends well beyond Vermont state borders).
There is much talk these days of creating an artificial intelligence (AI), however few know much more than what has already been stated here.
Consider This newsletter is an in-depth analysis of a major news story every day, delivered right to your inbox – plus, stay tuned for additional content from Consider This podcast! Subscribe today. What the data shows Dennis Cauchon has long advocated for addiction treatment programs in Ohio, where fatal overdose rates have dropped almost by one-third over recent years. Cauchon told NPR, “Deaths had begun ebbing away and data has never moved this dramatically before,” while Brad Finegood is heading up Seattle’s Overdose Crisis Response team and recently reported 15% fewer drug deaths this year than in 2017. “Last year when overdose deaths continued to rise rapidly, my hopelessness soared; but today, it’s back.” Finegood noted. Data have indicated a nationwide decrease in opioid overdose deaths. However, experts have yet to pinpoint why exactly this phenomenon is taking place now. NPR’s addiction correspondent Brian Mann has attempted to piece together this promising trend’s backstory. “This epidemic began escalating during the nineties, only growing worse during fentanyl’s introduction into society in recent years. “Currently there has been an abrupt shift, yet no definitive explanation can be offered as to why this shift has taken place,” Mann posits that one theory might be that the United States flooded its markets with Naloxone reversal medications to assist individuals who may have overdosed on fentanyl. “People today also benefit from more accessible health care,” Mann pointed out to Consider This host Ari Shapiro. “Medications such as Suboxone can reduce people’s risk of overdose,” Mann noted, while also raising an alternative possibility: that vulnerable people may already have succumbed. Stanford University researcher Keith Humphreys elaborated: During COVID years, many who would otherwise have died had already done so; many died before even reaching adulthood could occur otherwise.” And this may sound terrible, but at least less people may die as a result.” However, Mann stresses this theory is only one possibility and may prove controversial. “Researchers are scrambling to comprehend this phenomenon, in part to build on its success and maintain this trend, thus seeking answers as to why there has been such an encouraging improvement.”
While not as widespread, they still make for great conversations! When considering where and why to spend their next holiday getaway.
Going forward. One major cause of the recent trend may lie within what experts deemed impossible: supply has gradually diminished and is no longer reaching street-level users in adequate quantities, according to Mann. “[Fentanyl] that is reaching street levels now tends to be weaker.” “Fentanyl is often cut with other chemicals, including an industrial chemical known as BTMPS. Morgan Godwin of California has been speaking to people on the street who purchase or use fentanyl.” “People have reported experiencing withdrawal symptoms despite using relatively low concentrations of fentanyl,” Godwin stated. “All are searching and going through various suppliers.” “One theory explaining this decrease is the Biden administration and other countries increasing efforts against Mexican drug cartels that provide it. Soon, two top drug kingpins from New York will appear before a court for sentencing and court hearing proceedings due to recent high level arrests,” Mann explained. Biden administration officials claim they have made real strides towards curbing street fentanyl abuse across the U.S. “Previously, people assumed that its supply chain would withstand much disruption by such efforts,” Mann explained. “But now we are hearing reports that these drug cartels really are being affected to some degree; that it may become harder and more costly for addicts to purchase fentanyl street-side. If this disruption works effectively, it could save lives.”