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State Set Record For Drug Overdoses In 2015

Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services officials say accidental drug overdoses killed a record 3,050  Ohioans last year,  an average of eight per day. More than 33 percent were linked to the powerful painkiller fentanyl. Fentanyl-related deaths more than doubled from 2014, pushing the overdose toll to the record. The department says the opioid epidemic can only be dealt with through prevention, intervention, treatment and the use of life-saving measures such as overdose antidotes. Officials concede the problem has grown, but they point to progress in curbing prescription opiate abuse and say they're working to improve access to the antidote and drug treatment and recovery resources.
 

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