There is real good news in Southern Nevada’s overdose numbers this fall. There is also a warning that families should not miss.
What happened
On 10/26, 8 News Now reported that deadly fentanyl overdoses are decreasing across Southern Nevada, while medical experts are seeing a rise in deadly methamphetamine overdoses and a new deadly drug on Las Vegas streets.
While on the way to interview the DEA, the 8 News Now crew saw a woman trying to give Narcan to a man who had overdosed. She told reporters he had taken a combination of phenobarbital, a seizure medication, and xylazine, an animal tranquilizer that is often mixed with fentanyl and sold as “tranq.”
The same week, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that, according to the Southern Nevada Health District, overdose deaths among Clark County residents fell 30 percent in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. Fentanyl deaths fell 37 percent.
What this means for Las Vegas and Nevada
The decline is real, but the starting point was very high. The Clark County coroner’s office investigated 1,127 overdose deaths in 2025, and 564 through 9/23 of this year, according to the Review-Journal. Researchers quoted in that report say Nevada’s overdose death rate is still nearly double the national average.
Meth is a big part of the local picture. In 2025, the Southern Nevada Health District found that fentanyl was involved in 59 percent of Clark County overdose deaths and methamphetamine in 53.4 percent, frequently in combination. In other words, many people are not dying from one drug. They are dying from mixtures.
That is why sedatives in the drug supply matter. In February, the Health District reported detecting medetomidine, a veterinary sedative known as “rhino tranq,” in the local supply, usually mixed with fentanyl. It had not been linked to any local overdose deaths at that time. Because it is not an opioid, naloxone will not reverse it, and a person may stay sedated even after the opioid part of an overdose is reversed.
Downtown is hit hardest. The Health District reports that ZIP code 89101 had the highest overdose death rate in Clark County in 2025. That is the neighborhood Vegas Stronger serves every day from our North Main Street campus, and where our street outreach programs and Mobile Response Team work to connect people with care.
How Vegas Stronger helps
Vegas Stronger was part of the Review-Journal’s story. One of our counselors shared her own recovery, and our clinicians described why treatment, support and housing have to work together.
“The biggest role that nonprofits like Vegas Stronger play is they offer treatment services to people who might otherwise not be able to find the treatment they need.”
Josette Holly, Vegas Stronger counselor, in the Las Vegas Review-Journal
For people using meth or a mix of substances, our team offers methamphetamine addiction treatment that includes medically supervised detox, behavioral therapy and relapse prevention. When fentanyl or other opioids are involved, detox and withdrawal management and fentanyl addiction treatment, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT), are part of the plan. Many clients also live with depression, anxiety or trauma, which is why we provide dual diagnosis treatment.
Recovery is hard to hold onto without a place to live. Our case management and housing support team helps clients find emergency and transitional housing, benefits, jobs and long-term stability.
For people who are not ready for treatment yet, our harm reduction efforts include fentanyl test strips and Narcan. Our goal is to keep people alive long enough to choose recovery.
The results are measurable. According to our outcomes reports, 75.6 percent of 2025 program graduates were substance free at twelve months, and 97.6 percent were living in stable housing.
If you or a loved one is affected
If someone you love uses meth, pills or anything bought on the street, assume it could contain fentanyl or a sedative. A few practical steps can save a life:
- Keep Narcan (naloxone) at home and in the car, and learn how to use it.
- Test before use. The Southern Nevada Health District offers fentanyl and xylazine test strips without a prescription at its pharmacy at 280 S. Decatur Blvd. Other locations are listed on the Substance Use Dashboard.
- If someone will not wake up, call 911 right away. Give naloxone, and focus on breathing. The Health District advises making sure the person takes at least one breath every five seconds.
- Do not wait for a crisis to talk. Calm, honest conversations work better than ultimatums.
- If you or a family member is in emotional crisis, call or text 988 any time. For free, confidential treatment referrals, the SAMHSA National Helpline is open 24/7 at 1-800-662-4357.
When you are ready to talk about treatment, call Vegas Stronger at (702) 202-6647 or contact our team online. We meet people where they are, and you do not need to have everything figured out to call.
Frequently asked questions
Does Narcan work on tranq?
Partly. Naloxone (Narcan) reverses opioids like fentanyl, but it does not reverse sedatives such as xylazine or medetomidine. Because these are usually mixed with fentanyl, the Southern Nevada Health District still advises giving naloxone, calling 911 and focusing on breathing.
Where can I get fentanyl test strips in Las Vegas?
The Southern Nevada Health District provides fentanyl and xylazine test strips without a prescription at its Main Public Health Center pharmacy, 280 S. Decatur Blvd. Other locations are on its Substance Use Dashboard.
Are overdose deaths going down in Clark County?
Yes. The Health District reported a 30 percent drop in overdose deaths among Clark County residents in the first half of 2026 versus the same period in 2025, with fentanyl deaths down 37 percent. Meth is still involved in about half of local overdose deaths.
Is there meth addiction treatment in Las Vegas?
Yes. Vegas Stronger offers methamphetamine addiction treatment with supervised detox, behavioral therapy, dual diagnosis care and housing support. Call (702) 202-6647.
Related resources on our site
- Nevada Addiction and Overdose Statistics 2026: What the Data Shows for Las Vegas
- Your Guide to Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction Programs
- Family Involvement in Addiction Treatment Success
- Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment in Las Vegas
Sources: 8 News Now (KLAS), Las Vegas Review-Journal, Southern Nevada Health District, SAMHSA.
