10/ The incredible photos for this story are by @stephstrasburg.bsky.social. Many thanks to the Times, the Banner and Big Local News for inviting us to join this collaboration.

9/ We spoke with loved ones of Black men in this age group who died of overdose. Gaining their trust was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do as a journalist, and speaks to the mistreatment of these communities by some in the media. I'm grateful they opened up to me and I hope they find peace.

8/ These are just some of the factors driving these overdose deaths. Others include a rise in polysubstance deaths among Black men and racial disparities in access to treatment. Read our story to learn more and find out what local officials are — and aren’t — doing to address this crisis.

7/ This generation of Black men also came of age during the decline of the steel industry. McLean’s research shows that deindustrialization — which hit Black families the hardest — creates a “risk environment” for overdose.

4/ Punitive drug war policies dating to the 1980s crack-cocaine epidemic have plagued this generation of Black men for most of their adult lives. Research shows that these harsh policies could keep people from calling 911 in time to reverse an overdose.