Black men in D.C. face disproportionate rates of incarceration, homelessness and opioid-related deaths. City leaders are working to reverse these trends through health initiatives, community partnerships and policy reforms.
Tag: Opioid crisis
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Opioids are killing older Black men in D.C. at some of the highest rates in the country
Black men born between 1951 and 1970 accounted for nearly 38% of D.C.’s opioid fatalities in 2022, while only making up about 4% of D.C.’s total population. The city has implemented various programs and initiatives to tackle the opioid emergency, but few solutions have targeted the most vulnerable men, including those who have been unhoused or not having a stable living arrangement.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Mayor Bowser declares public emergency to address youth violence and opioid deaths
By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered a public emergency on Nov. 13, effective immediately, which will provide D.C. with more ways to address the youth violence issue and the opioid crisis. “The public emergency will allow us to streamline and expedite our responses,” said Bowser at a live-streamed press conference. […]