Between 1999 and 2022, the Latinx overdose death rate more than quadrupled. After fentanyl entered the drug supply, overdose death rates among Latinx people have continued to increase, even during years when death rates among white people decreased. Why?
Latinx people often have difficulty accessing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). They may have limited access to harm reduction education, tools, and supplies – especially since many programs may be English-only or may not guarantee confidentiality for non-citizens. They face racist drug law enforcement that disproportionately targets them. And they experience language barriers, mistreatment and stigma in healthcare settings.
To save lives, we need to decriminalize drug possession and harm reduction tools; improve access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD); expand and fund more harm reduction and overdose prevention services; and increase bilingual and culturally sensitive services.
Read our Fact Sheet: The Impact of the Overdose Crisis on Latinx Communities in the United States
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