Monroe County opioid deaths are on the decline, even as the CDC reports numbers are at record levels.

The task force in Rochester reports a 400% decline in opioid overdoses and a 300% decline in deaths over the first three months of the year.

The task force is in its fourth year of service.

“There’s so much stigma associated with the use of substances,” Michele Lawrence, URMC Asst. Professor of Psychiatry and Public Health Sciences, said. “We have, for a long time, assume that people who use a substance are bad people. That is just not true. We need to start by understanding how we have stigmatized people and start to break down that stigma so that we can help people get the treatment and support services they need to recover.”

URMC is hosting a summit on opioids next week. The conference will focus on the stigma surrounding drug use, addiction and health inequity. Registration is free. In-person attendance is limited.