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  5. Synthetic Soup: Drug Supply and Overdose Trends - 05/07/2026
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Webcast | Virtual

Event Title
Synthetic Soup: Drug Supply and Overdose Trends
May 7, 2026

Date:
May 7, 2026
Time:
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET

Triangle Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI)

Thursday, May 7, 2026
3:00 – 4:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

Presented By

Nabarun Dasgupta, PhD

Nabarun Dasgupta, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist, University of North Carolina

About the Presentation

This presentation shares laboratory findings on the rapidly changing composition of the U.S. illicit drug supply, and trends in overdose mortality. Topics include emerging synthetic substances and notable regional variations. Current declines in overdose deaths will be placed in both national and historical context. The presentation emphasizes data-driven insights alongside real-world narratives to make the complexities of supply-side surveillance accessible to a broad audience. CERSI-funded research on drug treatment and pharmacology will help connect the importance of scientific research in understanding the rapidly evolving drug environment.

About the Presenter

Dr. Nabarun Dasgupta is a street drug scientist at the University of North Carolina, whose passion is telling true stories about health with numbers. At the UNC Opioid Data Lab, his team has analyzed over 20,000 street drug samples donated via front-line public health organizations, health departments, and clinics. He pairs the resulting nuanced understanding of the illicit drug supply with large database analytics on overdose deaths to make sense of shifting drug use patterns. From molecules to populations, his work is deeply rooted in community engagement and amplifying lived experience. Since 2002, he has done pioneering work in overdose prevention and addiction treatment, including co-founding two nonprofits that distribute the overdose antidote naloxone: Project Lazarus and Remedy Alliance For The People. He is also an editor at the American Journal of Public Health and a recipient of the 2025-2030 MacArthur Fellowship. In 2026, he was placed on TIME100 list of the most influential leaders in health.

Remote Access Information

https://unc.zoom.us/j/97587428498?pwd=XdQZGbbRU3MPHMFAQDhX8EaU1r8qOP.1

Advance Registration NOT Required.

For Questions and Reasonable Accommodations

Please contact Ruize Li at Ruize.Li@fda.hhs.gov or go to Interpreting.Services@oc.fda.gov.

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