Baltimore health officials say the number of deaths from alcohol and drug overdoses have declined for the second consecutive year.
A Health Department report released Wednesday shows that overdoses are at their lowest level since 1995, when the city began recording the data.
In 2008, 176 people died of a drug overdose in Baltimore, compared with 281 in 2007, a decrease of about one-third.
Health officials attribute the decline to more treatment slots, better outreach to addicts and a program that teaches drug abusers how to avoid overdoses. They note that overdose rates in other cities are climbing.
Drug abuse experts say the report shows an important shift but the city's drug problem is still severe.
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