Accidental drug overdose deaths in Rhode Island fell 9 percent during the first eight months of this year, compared with the same period in 2016. Gov. Gina Raimondo called it a hopeful sign in the fight against opioid addiction and death. But she cautioned Rhode Island has a lot more work to do. Health Reporter Lynn Arditi and RIPR’s Elisabeth Harrison break down the newly released data.

Correction: The Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals certifies Centers of Excellence Excellence in the treatment of opioid use disorders. A previous version of this interview reported the incorrect state agency. 

Elisabeth Harrison's journalism background includes everything from behind-the-scenes work with the CBS Evening News to freelance documentary production. She joined the WRNI team in 2007 as a Morning Edition...

Lynn joined The Public's Radio as health reporter in 2017 after more than three decades as a journalist, including 28 years at The Providence Journal. Her series "A 911 Emergency," a project of the 2019...