Reports indicate a significant decline in the number of deaths caused by drug overdoses in the United States, reflecting the success of some efforts to combat the fentanyl epidemic.

Preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed a 10% decrease in deaths over the year up to April, with about 101,000 fatalities recorded.

Experts believe that this decline is due to several factors, including the expanded availability of naloxone, which is used to treat overdoses, increased access to addiction treatment programs, and law enforcement campaigns against smuggled fentanyl, which is considered the leading cause of deaths among individuals aged 18 to 49.

However, officials warn that the numbers are still unacceptably high and may rise again if current efforts do not continue.