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Drug-Related Deaths Down In Scioto County
By: Associated Press
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Officials say the number of prescribed painkiller doses and drug-related deaths decreased last year in the southern Ohio county regarded as the epicenter of the state's prescription drug addiction problem.
Nearly 1.5 million fewer pills were prescribed in Scioto County in 2011 than in the previous year, marking a 15 percent drop. The coroner says the county also had about a dozen fewer drug-related deaths last year.
Neighboring Gallia County had about 472,000 fewer doses prescribed, marking a 12 percent drop.
The preliminary numbers come from the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy's automated reporting.
State and local officials say a new law cracking down on pain clinics and an education campaign have contributed to the declines. They say they're cautiously optimistic.