Drug overdoses declined in St. Joseph County last year.

52 people died from drug overdoses in the county in 2018, five fewer than the year before. As for the Midwest as whole, where there was a 17% increase on average.

Pharmacies in the county report a 22% decrease in prescriptions for opioids between the third quarter of 2018 and the same period the year before.

St. Joseph County Prosecutor Ken Cotter says the county has taken to heart that they have to do better, and fewer prescriptions leads to a smaller supply of prescription drugs that can lead to dangerous situations later on.