[lostdog]

Why is the drug overdose rate so much lower on the West Coast than the East? It sure looks like drug usage is at least as bad in other states, so it doesn't really make sense that the unique West Coast housing issues are due to drugs alone.

[comte7092]

People are at an elevated risk of overdose after getting out of prison, they are forced to stop cold turkey and when they get out they don’t have the same tolerance as they used to so they end up misjudging the dose.

The west coast is more lenient on drug use, im guessing that leads to fewer overdoses as a result.

[ryanSrich]

At least where I live (Portland) it's the availability of narcan. Ask any first responder. They show up, administer narcan, and before they can even get the person's name the person is gone.