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Study Finds Indiana with Big Jump in Overdose Deaths

A new study has found that deaths in Indiana from drug misuse have quadrupled since 1999 for a jump bigger than all but three states.

The study by the Trust for America's Health found Indiana had the country's 17th highest rate of drug overdose deaths. The Indianapolis Star reports most of those deaths are from painkillers and other prescription drugs.

The study says Indiana's overdose death rate rose to 14.4 per 100,000 people in 2010 — from 3.2 in 1999. West Virginia had the nation's highest rate at 28.9.

State officials have started a campaign to increase awareness about the problem and ways for people to protect their painkillers.

Prescription drugs were blamed for 718 overdose deaths in Indiana in 2011, a nearly 10 percent increase from 2010.