Ward 8 has Highest Fatal Drug Overdose Rates in the District of Columbia in 2021

Drug Overdose deaths in Washington D.C have risen by over 9% between 2020 and 2021 according to the CDC, with Ward 8 affected more based on an investigation by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

(Image of “Drug Free Zone” near Savoy Elementary School. (Yareni Murillo))

Ward 8, the home of the historic Anacostia, was named the ward with the highest fatal drug overdoses in 2021, based on an investigation by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

(Fatal Drug Overdoses by Ward of Residence(Office of the Chief Medical Examiner))

“Something has to be done,” Commissioner Barbara J. Clark said at the recent ANC 8A meeting, referring to the general drug issues in the neighborhood of Anacostia, that is in section 8A of Ward 8. Drug overdose deaths in Washington D.C have risen by over 9% between 2020 and 2021, and up 300% from 2015 according to the CDC. The combined form of opioids such as fentanyl and prescription painkillers like oxyc

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d in fatalities.

(Yearly D.C Drug Overdoses from 2015 to 2021.Data from the CDC , (Yareni Murillo))

(Breakdown of Substances Leading to Death. (Office of the Chief Medical Examiner))

Addiction can affect all, however, certain environmental, cultural and biological factors affect certain communities due to risk factors. Black Americans are more likely to experience circumstances like poverty, incarceration and homelessness, which are all risk factors for mental health issues and substance use disorders which are often co-current.

Anacostia is one of D.C’s oldest neighborhoods, with a rich and vibrant African-American history. Anacostia is part of Ward 8, the ward with lowest median income. The neighborhood is 91% Black.

Historically Black Americans face stigmas within their community making it difficult to reach out for help even though resources may be available. To cope various individuals turn to self medication and engage in drug activity. Such drug activity can lead to overdoses which can lead to death.

The nation is facing an opioid epidemic, which is shown in the nation's capital. There are widening disparities in overdose fatalities. From 2019 to 2020, drug overdose death rates increased by 44% among non-Hispanic Black (Black) persons nationally.

From 2014-2017, death rates from synthetic opioid use increased by 818% among Black Americans, which was a higher increase than for any other racial group.

Dubbed the ward with the highest drug fatalities, community members seek answers.

Bus driver Wendy, has worked for the city for over 6 years and was born and raised in the neighborhood of Anacostia said, “Whatever drugs they’re doing, they’re doing a lot of it.”

(Bus operators’ breakroom (Yareni Murillo))

Bus driver James has worked for the city for over 15 years. Taking a deep breath in, he exhaled and said, “we want answers. I’ve had friends get killed and stabbed. The police? They don’t do anything.” He then laughed. “The local council is so far removed from us.” He shrugged and finished by saying, “Sometimes it’s frustrating.”

Officer W. Robinson is a member of the 7th district police force, which patrols section 8A, and is going on 28 years with the force. “It’s 50/50 [with the local government], they do as much as they can.” Pausing for a moment she then said, “there’s not enough police officers.”

The drug trade mainly lies on Good Hope Road according to Commissioner Clarke and other community members, but Officer Robinson however “wouldn’t put all the blame on Good Hope Road.”

Historically, drug trades stem from lack of resources. Junior Lucy Hays at American University in the Honors BA Political Science program with a concentration in American Government said, “Your economy is failing you so you create your own informal economy.”

According to a study by the Office of Justice, the median income selling street drugs was approximately $30 per hour, significantly more than most arrested for the crime could make from legitimate employment, given their low levels of education.

Resources are becoming more available in Ward 8 and Anacostia, however due to historical cultural fears of government programs due to medical, government, journalistic and other forms of abuse, residents are less likely to reach out for help. Despite this, the fight to end substance abuse locally continues.

Pausing for another moment, Officer Robinson then added in regards to Anacostia, “It’s not all bad. There are good people here as well, it’s not all drugs and violence.”