Brian Mann

A few blocks down the street, I meet Tracy Horvath, who says she's lived in Kensington most of her life, much of that time using fentanyl.

A few blocks down the street, I meet Tracy Horvath, who says she's lived in Kensington most of her life, much of that time using fentanyl.

She looks weary and cold, but she is one of the survivors. Horvath, too, says fentanyl might have killed her if Narcan weren't so widely available.

She looks weary and cold, but she is one of the survivors. Horvath, too, says fentanyl might have killed her if Narcan weren't so widely available.

She looks weary and cold, but she is one of the survivors. Horvath, too, says fentanyl might have killed her if Narcan weren't so widely available.

I asked what she'd need to move beyond this life, beyond addiction. Horvath says her first goal is a safe place to live.

I asked what she'd need to move beyond this life, beyond addiction. Horvath says her first goal is a safe place to live.

I asked what she'd need to move beyond this life, beyond addiction. Horvath says her first goal is a safe place to live.

Addiction care experts say getting people off the street into homes is often a crucial step. But there are so many needs here, it can feel overwhelming. Kayla McLeod says there has been progress building a network of services and support that didn't exist a decade ago.

Addiction care experts say getting people off the street into homes is often a crucial step. But there are so many needs here, it can feel overwhelming. Kayla McLeod says there has been progress building a network of services and support that didn't exist a decade ago.

Addiction care experts say getting people off the street into homes is often a crucial step. But there are so many needs here, it can feel overwhelming. Kayla McLeod says there has been progress building a network of services and support that didn't exist a decade ago.

We pass a mobile healthcare team and a food pantry. There's a special police unit trained in addiction response and a group from a university dispensing buprenorphine, a medication that reduces fentanyl cravings. I meet Scout Gilson working at a syringe exchange run by a group called Prevention Point.

We pass a mobile healthcare team and a food pantry. There's a special police unit trained in addiction response and a group from a university dispensing buprenorphine, a medication that reduces fentanyl cravings. I meet Scout Gilson working at a syringe exchange run by a group called Prevention Point.

We pass a mobile healthcare team and a food pantry. There's a special police unit trained in addiction response and a group from a university dispensing buprenorphine, a medication that reduces fentanyl cravings. I meet Scout Gilson working at a syringe exchange run by a group called Prevention Point.

Gilson, who's in long-term recovery, says she knows firsthand how complicated the health impacts of drug use can be, from mental health challenges to lingering skin wounds.

Gilson, who's in long-term recovery, says she knows firsthand how complicated the health impacts of drug use can be, from mental health challenges to lingering skin wounds.

Gilson, who's in long-term recovery, says she knows firsthand how complicated the health impacts of drug use can be, from mental health challenges to lingering skin wounds.

But Gilson thinks deeper healing that moves people beyond survival is possible with the right help.

But Gilson thinks deeper healing that moves people beyond survival is possible with the right help.

But Gilson thinks deeper healing that moves people beyond survival is possible with the right help.