It’s mystifying, in a way — not that anyone should complain.

With nearly one-third of the year behind us, there have been just five confirmed overdose fatalities in Butler County so far in 2018.

The grim times continue, but let’s not miss the glimmers of hope. Maybe, ... just maybe, the tide is turning. Maybe the worst of this opioid nightmare is behind us.

We’re approaching the one-year anniversary of District Attorney Richard Goldinger’s “Not in my Backyard” anti-drug initiative of imposing tougher sentences and higher bail amounts for drug crimes.

When Goldinger introduced the initiative on May 4, 2017, he said: “Since New Year’s Eve we have had four nonrelated homicides; however, all of these incidents were related to the drug culture in the county. If we are now going to have escalated violence, we have to do something different here.”

At the time Goldinger announced “Backyard,” the county coroner’s office had already confirmed 21 overdose deaths for the year. The number of overdose fatalities eventually would reach a record 92 in 2017.

This year the pace of overdose deaths has slowed significantly. Only five deaths have been recorded so far in 2018, compared with the 21 this time last year.

Homicides have slowed, too. There were five last year, if you include a New Year’s Eve murder that took place in East Butler.

There’s been just one homicide in 2018: a fatal automotive dragging in Cranberry Township. Drugs were not involved.

There are plenty of theories behind the reduced fatalities:

- The widespread availability of the opioid antidote naloxone, or Narcan, plus the “good Samaritan” laws enabling overdose victims to walk away after being treated with naloxone;

- A widespread awareness campaign about the risks of taking opioids, especially synthetic versions like fentanyl;

- Tightened border and immigration restrictions under the Trump administration, which make it more difficult for illegal trafficking of drugs into the country;

- A growing acceptance of marijuana and its chemical components for medical treatment of pain and other chronic disease symptoms; and

- A corresponding reduction in the use of prescription opioid painkillers. Health data firm IQVIA released a report Thursday showing an 8.9 percent average drop nationwide in the number of prescriptions for opioids filled by retail and mail-order pharmacies. All 50 states and the District of Columbia had declines of more than 5 percent. Declines topped 10 percent in Pennsylvania and 17 other states.

All of these are likely contributing factors in the dramatic reduction in overdose deaths so far this year.

There may be other factors: prolonged winter weather; a low jobless rate; and the growing awareness that fentanyl kills so indiscriminately.

But let’s not discount one important factor — perhaps the most important factor: The people of Butler County embody an unwavering community standard. We are a tolerant people with an intolerance for behavior that harms the community.

Collectively, we have a will. Collectively, we’ll find our way.