Narcan

Experts say several things could be driving the decline. They include increased availability of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone, expanded addiction treatment and shifts in how people use drugs.

The vending machines in Deland and Ormond Beach provide round-the-clock access to the spray version of naloxone, which is used to treat opioid overdoses.

There were about 97,000 overdose deaths in year that ended June 30, according to provisional CDC data. That's a 14% decrease from the previous 12-month period.

In Manatee County, a drone delivery system recently started to speed up the arrival of lifesaving treatment for medical emergencies in which every second counts.

In Hillsborough, health officials offered the overdose reversal drug to people who stopped by their Tampa office. Other counties recognized the day with education on recognizing overdoses and saving lives.

Some spring break travelers misuse painkillers contaminated with fentanyl. Advocates hope equipping more people with Narcan will save lives.

The State Board of Education is slated this week to approve a proposal that would require public colleges to have supplies of emergency opioid antagonists in residence halls and dormitories.

School nurses, resource officers and other staff have been trained to use the nasal spray version, Narcan, which can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.

District officials announced the development last week as they launched a countywide awareness campaign around the deadly risks of fentanyl.

Addiction treatment experts hope to increase access to the medication, which can reverse opioid overdoses. But hurdles remain: cost and stigma.