LEXINGTON, Ky. - A new study shows drug overdose deaths in Kentucky rose 282 percent between 2000 and 2010.
The study announced this week by the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center analyzed information from emergency rooms, inpatient hospitalizations and mortality records.
The center is located at the University of Kentucky and is an agent for the Kentucky Department of Public Health.
The study found that drug overdose deaths increased from six per 100,000 residents in 2000 to 22.9 per 100,000 residents in 2010. The study says 53 percent of the deaths were from prescription drugs, with
the highest fatality rates in eastern Kentucky.
Overdose Deaths Up 282 Percent
