Federal government officials were cautiously optimistic Friday after announcing a drop in opioid-related deaths in the region, including Butler County.

Figures provided by the Butler County Coroner's Office show that the county's downward trend in overdose deaths is similar to most surrounding counties. There were 41 opioid-related deaths in 2018 in the county compared with 92 overdose deaths in 2017.

“This is not the time to slow down,” U.S. Attorney Scott Brady said. “We will continue to fight for every life.”

Brady and representatives from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation and state police shared the results during a news conference in Pittsburgh.

“There will be no sense of celebration,” Brady said, adding that any number of deaths higher than zero is a problem.

The officials said decreases in opioid-related death recorded in the region included 50 percent in Butler and Beaver counties; 47 percent in Allegheny and Lawrence counties; and 37 percent in Westmoreland County.

Mercer and Clarion counties showed an increase in overdose fatalities, according to reports.

DEA agent Bob Jones said that the synthetic-opioid fentanyl, which is often mixed in with heroin, is particularly life threatening and that “a laser focus” effort to reduce its use has contributed to a reduction in deaths.

Jones and Brady also credited the FBI's Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement Team as a response to online drug dealing. And they mentioned the Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit, which is aimed at prosecuting doctors who illegally prescribe drugs.

Statewide, estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show a 10.5 percent decrease in overdose deaths in Pennsylvania between May 2017 and May 2018.

State police Capt. Joe Ruggery credited the use of naloxone, also known by the product name Narcan, as an opioid antagonist that helps reverse the overdose process.

“We remain committed,” Ruggery said. “We've implemented life-saving measures for overdose victims.”