Carbon County has seen a slight decrease in the number of overdose deaths so far this year.

On Thursday, Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said that there were only seven overdose deaths so far this year, down from 11 reported last year.He said that one of the reasons for the decrease, officials believe, is the use of naloxone by police.In Carbon County, there have been 22 successful overdose reversals as a result of police using naloxone at the scene.Nothstein said that is good because not all counties have programs like this in place.He said though that the decrease in overdose deaths so far this year is not a hopeful figure, though.Carbon County 911 calls for EMS as a result of overdoses has steadily risen. There were 416 as of Aug. 31.In 2015, EMS calls for overdoses totaled 500 for the year.Nothstein said that at this rate, the county is expecting to top out at over 600 overdose calls by the end of the year.In addition, police calls for drugs are also rising. In 2015, a total of 212 calls were reported, while 207 calls were made between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31 this year.Nothstein said that these figures show the alarming drug trend that is gripping the nation and pointed out that these figures do not include state police responses in communities that do not have local police departments.