One regional expert says the opioid crisis in Nebraska is actually improving.

The top priority of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) at the federal level is opioids and in Nebraska, the opioid crisis is significantly better than most states.

“Frankly, Nebraska is doing very well," said Jeff Khars, director of the seventh region of the DHHS. "If you look at opioid-related deaths, Nebraska is 49th or 50th, that being the best. For comparison purposes, Missouri is 18th.”

Khars covers the four-state area of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska. He spoke to the Lincoln Downtown Rotary Club on Tuesday. He said Nebraska still has an over-prescribing problem just like most of the country, but as a whole those numbers are dropping.

“Great progress is being made," he said. "In the last 18 months, because of great focus by the administration and with the help of Congress, we’ve seen anywhere from 25-34% less opioids prescribed. That’s good news.”

In Nebraska and many other rural states, methamphetamine may be just as big of a problem as opioids.

“It’s cheaper, it’s just more available, it’s more appealing, it’s more attractive," Khars said of methamphetamine. "It’s just easier to get.”

Even though the opioid problems in Nebraska may be receding, they are still far from solved. Khars encourages anyone prescribed an opioid to ask their doctor, “Do I really need this?”

