On the front lines of the drug war, police say they're aware of the drop-off in lethal overdoses in the county.

But they can't say why that is.

Last year, there were 92 overdose deaths in Butler County. In the first six months of this year, there have been 15 —with eight cases pending.

“I think it has to do with a number of things,” said Butler police Capt. Jim Hollobaugh. “Narcan is more readily available to everybody, there seems to be greater access to (addiction) treatment, and education could be a factor.”

Another reason for the decline in both fatal and non-fatal ODs, he said, could be a decline in the supply of fentanyl on the streets, an effect of the work of police and law enforcement agencies.

“In Butler,” Hollobaugh said, “we've stepped up patrols in areas where people are complaining about drug activity.”

He also believes the teamwork between city police and the Butler County Drug Task Force to attack the opioid problem is paying dividends.

Drug-trafficking activity shaped by supply and demand could be yet another factor for the fall in fatal opioid overdoses, according to a trooper who works for the state police vice unit.

“Crack is back,” said the vice officer, who requested anonymity because of the nature of his work. “More dealers are dealing in crack cocaine.”

Read more about police efforts to fight the local drug problem in Sunday's Butler Eagle.