Polysubstance Overdose Regional Shifts

Regional overdose epidemics are now defined by changing mixes of drugs (fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine) rather than a single dominant substance; 2018–2019 saw the West surge in synthetic‑opioid deaths while the Northeast had the largest relative rise in psychostimulant deaths. Public health responses must therefore be regionally tailored to evolving polysubstance risks. — Adapting harm‑reduction, naloxone distribution, testing, and treatment to local drug‑mix trends is essential to reduce deaths and allocate limited public‑health resources effectively.