Brian Mann

I do. I live in New York. She tells me she really wants to see New York, and her dad, Gary, speaks up.

When Nebra and Descupta's team at the University of North Carolina finished their new analysis of drug death data, they found a positive trend that seemed inconceivable a year ago.

When Nebra and Descupta's team at the University of North Carolina finished their new analysis of drug death data, they found a positive trend that seemed inconceivable a year ago.

When Nebra and Descupta's team at the University of North Carolina finished their new analysis of drug death data, they found a positive trend that seemed inconceivable a year ago.

Drug deaths tracked nationwide by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have already plunged 24% from peak levels. Every state has now seen improvement, with many states improving by 30, 40, even 50%. Dasgupta says the number of lives being saved left him stunned.

Drug deaths tracked nationwide by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have already plunged 24% from peak levels. Every state has now seen improvement, with many states improving by 30, 40, even 50%. Dasgupta says the number of lives being saved left him stunned.

Drug deaths tracked nationwide by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have already plunged 24% from peak levels. Every state has now seen improvement, with many states improving by 30, 40, even 50%. Dasgupta says the number of lives being saved left him stunned.

Data is one thing. Reality on the street can feel very different. This is Kensington, long known as one of the country's most drug-plagued neighborhoods in Philadelphia. On a warm afternoon, Elena and Vadim lean against a fence, smoking a mix of fentanyl and xylosine. NPR agreed not to use last names because their drug use is illegal. I ask how this national shift feels here.

Data is one thing. Reality on the street can feel very different. This is Kensington, long known as one of the country's most drug-plagued neighborhoods in Philadelphia. On a warm afternoon, Elena and Vadim lean against a fence, smoking a mix of fentanyl and xylosine. NPR agreed not to use last names because their drug use is illegal. I ask how this national shift feels here.

Data is one thing. Reality on the street can feel very different. This is Kensington, long known as one of the country's most drug-plagued neighborhoods in Philadelphia. On a warm afternoon, Elena and Vadim lean against a fence, smoking a mix of fentanyl and xylosine. NPR agreed not to use last names because their drug use is illegal. I ask how this national shift feels here.

And Elena says she's noticed the change.

And Elena says she's noticed the change.

And Elena says she's noticed the change.

Smoking fentanyl and xylosine is still incredibly risky, but it's considered safer than using needles. Vadim says many people who use fentanyl are also taking smaller doses.

Smoking fentanyl and xylosine is still incredibly risky, but it's considered safer than using needles. Vadim says many people who use fentanyl are also taking smaller doses.

Smoking fentanyl and xylosine is still incredibly risky, but it's considered safer than using needles. Vadim says many people who use fentanyl are also taking smaller doses.

They say there are more public health services here on the street, and people routinely carry naloxone or Narcan to reverse fentanyl overdoses. All this has contributed to nearly 2,000 fewer deaths a year in Pennsylvania alone compared with the peak. Dr. Nora Volkov, who heads the U.S. government's National Institute on Drug Abuse, says she believes the U.S. as a whole has reached a turning point.

They say there are more public health services here on the street, and people routinely carry naloxone or Narcan to reverse fentanyl overdoses. All this has contributed to nearly 2,000 fewer deaths a year in Pennsylvania alone compared with the peak. Dr. Nora Volkov, who heads the U.S. government's National Institute on Drug Abuse, says she believes the U.S. as a whole has reached a turning point.

They say there are more public health services here on the street, and people routinely carry naloxone or Narcan to reverse fentanyl overdoses. All this has contributed to nearly 2,000 fewer deaths a year in Pennsylvania alone compared with the peak. Dr. Nora Volkov, who heads the U.S. government's National Institute on Drug Abuse, says she believes the U.S. as a whole has reached a turning point.

While overall drug deaths are down 24 percent, Volkov says deaths linked specifically to fentanyl are dropping even faster, down more than 30 percent. If that trend holds, the U.S. could soon return to levels not seen since 2016 when fentanyl hit.