A new study examined the relationship between law enforcement drug seizures and opioid-involved overdose mortality in San Francisco from 2020 to 2023.

What it found:

• Law enforcement drug seizures were associated with increased risk of fatal opioid-involved overdoses within the immediate surrounding areas (100, 250, 500 meters) following the drug seizure event.
• The elevated overdose risk persisted for seven days following the drug seizure.
• The connection weakened the further away in time and distance from the law enforcement seizure event.

Why it’s important: The enforcement of drug distribution laws may have the unintended negative consequence of increasing opioid overdose deaths.

• Evidence-based health policies and interventions, not just law enforcement responses, are needed to prevent overdose deaths.