Clark County health officials say the number of people who died from drug overdose so far this year is half what it was last fall. In fact, this year could be the least deadly in more than a decade.

As of the end of September, 23 people died from accidental drug overdose. That’s compared with 47 at the same time last year — a 51% drop.

Health officials point to increased recovery options, changes in how law enforcement responds to people with substance use disorder and shifting drug trends as some of the reasons why the number is down.

Shift in treatment

A decade ago, options for quick treatment outside of a hospital setting were scant for people in Clark County.

Beth Keeney, president and CEO at LifeSpring Health Systems, said there were long waiting lists for people to get medically

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