NEW YORK (WABC) -- Drug overdose deaths are down for the first time in years in New York City, but the Chief Medical Examiner is urging people not to let their guard down.

"We are cautiously optimistic," said NYC Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jason Graham. "But we're still in the midst of a crisis."

Four-hundred ninety-eight people died of a drug overdose in New York City in the third quarter of 2024, the last year the data is available. That's the lowest level of overdose deaths for a quarter since 2020.

While deaths are down, fentanyl and a new lethal combo of fentanyl is still responsible for a majority of the overdoses.

"We're still seeing fentanyl in roughly 80% of our overdose deaths," said Dr. Graham.

Fentanyl was also responsible for roughly 80% of the overdose deaths during the

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