Gov. Tom Wolf on Dec. 3 extended for the eighth time his declaration of an opioid disaster in Pennsylvania.

"Renewing the disaster declaration and its provisions is a reminder that the collaborative efforts put forth by a large and diverse group of state agencies, third-party organizations and stakeholders is having a positive effect on the opioid crisis in Pennsylvania," Wolf said.

According to a statement from the Wolf administration, Pennsylvania's rate of opioid prescriptions is now below the federal average and from 2017 to 2018—the most recent data available—overdose deaths declined by 18%.