ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville police have released new data showing dozens of overdose incidents, drug investigations and arrests in public housing communities across the city, with Pisgah View Apartments in West Asheville accounting for the largest share of activity in several categories.

The figures come amid renewed public attention on drug activity and fatal overdoses in Asheville following the death of a woman named Rachel Tuck earlier this month.

Read our reporting on the Tuck case here.

According to the Asheville Police Department, officers have handled 28 fatal overdose investigations so far in 2026. The department said it is not the final authority on cause of death and pointed to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as the primary source for statewide overdose data.

Police also confirmed three overdose-related deaths at Pisgah View Apartments this year and one additional overdose-related death in the Livingston community, bringing the total to four suspected overdose fatalities in Housing Authority of the City of Asheville properties in 2026.

A spokesperson for the Housing Authority said overdose incidents are not unique to public housing and reflect the broader opioid crisis affecting the city. The agency said its focus is on improving resident safety, supporting staff and preventing unauthorized entry into vacant apartments.

Overdose responses across housing communities

APD says officers have responded to 33 overdose incidents in public housing communities so far this year, including:

  • Pisgah View Apartments: 10
  • Bartlett Arms Apartments: 6
  • Erskine Apartments: 5
  • Aston Park Towers: 4
  • Hillcrest Community: 3
  • Klondyke Community: 3
  • Deaverview Apartments: 1
  • Livingston: 1
  • Walton Apartments: 0

Officials said the numbers reflect APD responses only and do not include all EMS or fire department overdose calls.

Drug investigations and arrests

Police also reported 63 drug-related investigations in public housing communities in 2026, 39 of which resulted in at least one arrest.

Those investigations were concentrated in several areas:

  • Pisgah View Apartments: 40
  • Hillcrest Community: 12
  • Deaverview Apartments: 8
  • Livingston: 2
  • Walton Apartments: 1
  • Aston Park Towers: 0
  • Bartlett Arms Apartments: 0
  • Erskine Apartments: 0
  • Klondyke Community: 0

APD also reported 81 drug-related arrests in public housing communities so far this year:

  • Pisgah View Apartments: 43
  • Aston Park Towers: 11
  • Bartlett Arms Apartments: 9
  • Hillcrest Community: 10
  • Deaverview Apartments: 5
  • Livingston: 2
  • Walton Apartments: 1
  • Erskine Apartments: 0
  • Klondyke Community: 0
  • Break-ins across housing sites

Police logged 31 breaking-and-entering incidents in public housing communities in 2026, including:

  • Pisgah View Apartments: 11
  • Hillcrest Community: 9
  • Deaverview Apartments: 5
  • Klondyke Community: 4
  • Erskine Apartments: 1
  • Livingston: 1
  • Aston Park Towers: 0
  • Bartlett Arms Apartments: 0
  • Walton Apartments: 0

Officials said there is no centralized system to determine whether incidents occurred specifically in vacant units.

Housing Team expansion

The Asheville Police Department and Housing Authority of the City of Asheville are also launching a restructured Housing Team this summer.

The unit will assign dedicated officers to public housing communities and focus on proactive patrols, quality-of-life concerns and collaboration with Housing Authority staff.

“The newly reformed Housing Team establishes dedicated officers for those communities,” APD said. “Housing Team members are entrusted with a specialized assignment to improve safety, reduce crime and enhance quality of life in Asheville’s public housing communities through sustained engagement, strategic enforcement and collaborative problem-solving.”