EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) — Heroin overdose deaths continue to climb in Madison County despite a recent boost in drug prevention efforts.

Coroner Steve Nonn says that 28 people have fatally overdosed in the southwestern Illinois county so far this year. With more than five months remaining in 2015, that total already exceeds the 26 heroin-related deaths recorded in both 2011 and 2014.

The coroner reports that prescription drug overdoses caused another 11 deaths so far this year, though the cause of death in some of those cases remains preliminary pending final toxicology results.

The recent rise in deaths has led to enhanced crime-fighting efforts as well as additional outreach in Madison County schools. Nonn says that none of the recent overdose deaths involved minors.

 

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