Miami-Dade has bragging rights when it comes to Florida's opiod epidemic. Opiod-related deaths fell by nearly 100 in Miami-Dade last year while the rest of the state saw an increase in overdose deaths. What gives??? University of Miami Miller School of Medicine's Hansel Tookes credits the needle exchange program which distributes free naloxone, a medication used to counter the effects of opioid overdose. He says in 2018 opiod deaths totaled 212 that's down from 305 in 2017. There were 321 opiod deaths in 2016. Tookes says they've also armed first responders with naloxone to save lives on the spot.