DES MOINES, Iowa – Opioid deaths increased in Iowa in 2017.

The Iowa Department of Public Health Bureau of Health Statistics says the final numbers are:

- Opioid Overdose Deaths increased to 103 – up from 86 in 2016
- Opioid Related Deaths increased to 206 – up from 180 in 2016

The Bureau says an overdose means an opioid was identified as the primary cause of death and those numbers are included within the opioid related death total.

The Iowa Department of Public Health says it has taken several steps to reduce overdose and opioid related deaths, such as:

- Implementing a Statewide Standing Order making Naloxone available without a prescription
- Training over 100 individuals as community trainers on how to recognize an opioid overdose and administer Naloxone
- Funding the free Narcan Access Day, distributing nearly 2,000 kits
- Providing over 400 Narcan kits to the Department of Public Safety
- Designating suspected and confirmed opioid overdoses that require administration of Naloxone as reportable conditions in Iowa