A dedicated team hits the streets to combat the opioid crisis.

Daniel Dreifuss here. For this week’s cover story, I wanted to answer the question: What was being done in Monterey County to combat the opioid crisis?

In 2023, there were 932 suspected overdoses and 145 suspected fatalities in Monterey County. In 2024, 864 suspected overdoses were reported, 64 of those were fatal overdoses. Another 47 deaths are pending as possible overdoses. (Year over year, California experienced a 14-percent decrease in overdose deaths from July 2023-2024 compared to 2022-2023, according to a provisional report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, although final numbers for 2024 are still pending; in 2023, the state reported 7,847 deaths.)

I started photographing for this story in February and didn't know what to expect. I was connected with Dr. Reb Close, the president of Central Coast Overdose Prevention, and the journey began. I spent time at the clinic and with the street team, learning about the fight to help those in need. 

Over the course of the last several months I got to meet some incredible people, hearing their stories and photographing them. The CCODP street team was amazing to work with, and I could see just how much each of them cared about the people they were trying to help. I learned that there are really effective treatment options although there are hurdles, mostly insurance-related, to jump through. 

Treating opioid dependency can be complex due to the fact “every patient is different,” Close says. “What works for one might not work for another. We find the treatment plan that will work for the patient we are taking care of.”

Check out this week’s cover story to learn more. You can also view a video to see the team in action.