Maine’s largest city has recorded its first month without an overdose death in over 2 years.

According to our news partners at CBS 13, Portland Police say they also saw a 21% decrease in overdoses last month compared to January of 2023.

During the final week of last year, police say there were 20 overdoses reported, with three of them being fatal. 10 overdoses occurred the week prior.

Overdose death numbers declined slightly between 2022 and 2023, with 47 people dying last year compared to 51 deaths in 2022. However, the total number of overdoses rose slightly, with 527 overdosing in 2023 compared to 518 people in 2022.

Lawmakers and law enforcement alike are fighting to lower these numbers, with a new law requiring law enforcement to carry the opioid overdose reversing drug Naloxone or have it in their cruiser.

If you encounter an overdose, please call 911 and stay with the person until first responders arrive.

To read the original article by WGME, click here.