Santa Clara County reports slight drop in homeless deaths despite opioid crisis

Homeless deaths in Santa Clara County are down so far this year despite an opioid crisis and thousands of people living on the streets.

There have been 159 deaths as of Oct. 6, compared to 169 deaths during the same period last year, according to data from the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner.  One of the most significant decreases in the cause of death or contributing factor of death has to do with fentanyl. There have been 21 fentanyl-related deaths so far this year, compared to 51 deaths over the same time last year.