Although it ranks relatively low in a recent national study of opioid deaths by Branch Publishing, South Dakota has seen a marked increase in opioid deaths.
South Dakota ranks 43 on the list of the 50 states, even so, its opioid overdose death rate increased 53 percent over the past ten years.
Iowa ranks 42 on the list. Minnesota ranks 41.
The opioid epidemic is hitting West Virginia the hardest, with opioid deaths skyrocketing by 167 percent.
The study used statistics from the Federal Centers for Disease Control.
(KELO)