What's the primary driver behind the 27% drop in overdose deaths?

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Research published in December 2024 found fentanyl potency weakened significantly—pills that once contained lethal doses now require 50+ pills for effect. DEA testing showed only 5 out of 10 pills contained potentially deadly doses in 2024, down from 7 out of 10 in 2023. Los Angeles drug-checking found median fentanyl purity at just 5.8%, with 42.5% of samples below 5% purity. DEA Administrator Anne Milgram credited law enforcement pressure forcing Mexican cartels to dilute their product. While Biden expanded naloxone access and eliminated buprenorphine prescribing waivers, the research concluded these policy changes were secondary factors—the weakened supply drove most of the decline.

What's the primary driver behind the 27% drop in overdose deaths?

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