Study: Remediating abandoned houses reduces fatal and nonfatal opioid overdoses

A study of neighborhood interventions in Philadelphia found that the single most important factor in reducing opioid overdose rates was fixing up abandoned buildings. The study, “Neighborhood Environmental Interventions and Opioid Overdose Rates” by Eugenia C. South, M.D. and colleagues looked at 1,667 blocks in a single neighborhood in Philadelphia. The researchers found that remediating abandoned houses was associated with a significant reduction fatal opioid overdoses and nonfatal opioid overdoses. Aggregate interventions were not associated with any reduction in nonfatal overdose rates. Community trash pickup was not associated with any reduction in overdoses. Cleaning up vacant lots was not associated with fatal overdoses but was associated with a significant increase in nonfatal overdoses. The nonrandomized trial focused on a single neighborhood in Philadelphia. Data was collected from 2019 to 2021. The interventions studied were community trash pickup, vacant lot cleanups, and abandoned house remediation. Because remediating abandoned houses was significantly associated with reduced fatal and nonfatal overdoses, it should be considered along with other interventions – treatment and harm reduction to individuals with substance use disorder – the researchers concluded. The study is published in the July 31 issue of JAMA Network Open .