For the first time in years, fatal overdoses declined in Nassau and Suffolk counties in 2018.

Fatal opioid overdoses fell by 21 percent in 2018 across Long Island.

That's according to data given to Newsday by the county police departments and medical examiners.

The report says there were 483 fatal overdoses in 2018, compared to 614 in 2017.

Officials say they attribute the decrease in fatalities to the widespread use of Narcan, the antidote for an opioid overdose.

Police commissioners in both counties say the decline in fatalities may be attributed to more drug education in schools, success in finding treatment and recovery programs and police enforcement. 

Addiction expert Jeffrey Reynolds says he's more concerned about what's on the horizon with an increase of people taking Xanax, vaping and the possible legalization of marijuana.

“Quite frankly, as long as we're going to funerals, we know we have work to do,” says Reynolds.