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DBH: fatal overdoses down 39% but nonfatal overdoses up 33%; naloxone and outreach efforts expanding
Summary
DBH told the committee fatal overdoses declined 39% from the prior year while nonfatal overdoses rose 33%; the department reported a 11% increase in medication‑assisted treatment enrollment and said it is expanding naloxone distribution, outreach grants, and contingency management pilots funded by opioid settlement and SOAR funds.
In her opening remarks Dr. Basron described opioid response trends: DBH and partner agencies reported a "double‑digit decline in fatal overdoses," quantified as a 39 percent decrease from the prior year, while nonfatal overdoses increased by 33 percent over the same period. Basron said DBH is encouraging higher enrollment in medication‑assisted treatment (an 11% increase last fiscal year) and implementing Live Long DC best practices for prevention and treatment.
Committee members asked about outreach and harm reduction operations, including syringe programs and naloxone supply. DBH said it pays close attention to vendor performance for syringe service programs (three vendors, including HiPS) and is working to increase distribution and collection rates after a dip in 2025. Basron said naloxone supply is adequate and DBH deploys it to hotspots and partners for distribution. DBH also said it has recently made contingency management awards (nearly $1 million in opioid settlement funds) and that an implementation delay to vet grantee proposals was resolved last month and awards are being executed. "Our conclusion is that the providers are being effective in making a difference in executing our goals," DBH said of outreach grantees.
