WLWT: Drop in Hamilton County overdose deaths called 'amazing' by doctor who works to reduce harm, stigma

Ryan said the drop in Hamilton County is the result of passionate experts who stay focused despite years of spiking overdose rates.

"That passion – with dollars coming in to help that passion – is making a difference," Ryan said. "And that's what's unique. We are actually showing a decrease in deaths, a decrease in ED visits and a decrease in 911 runs."

WLWT reported that in Hamilton County, the opioid crisis peaked in 2017 when 570 people overdosed and died. A drop in 2018 was followed by steady increases until last year, when 433 people died from an overdose. That's an almost 25% drop.

Ryan points to several reasons.

"Naloxone, Narcan, a lifesaving drug that is now over-the-counter, right," he said. "Fentanyl test strips – thousands of fentanyl test strips are being handed out to make sure your supply is safe."

Ryan said when people struggling with addiction are ready to turn their life around, local experts have tools that can help.

While the decline in overdose death is encouraging, Ryan said he and others are concerned about an uptick in the use of drugs including methamphetamine and cocaine among Blacks in and around Cincinnati.

See the entire story here. 

Lead photo/Spectrum News 1/Kyleigh Panetta