Ongoing efforts to address the widespread abuse of opiate narcotics south of Boston are yielding measurable results in Quincy, where recent statistics show a striking reduction in the number of residents dying from overdoses, officials say.

“We’re seeing progress with the fatal overdoses. We’re seeing progress with people gaining awareness that prescription drugs can lead to heroin” and overdose, said Lieutenant Detective Patrick Glynn, head of the Quincy Police Department’s anti-drug unit.