Source: CDC's NCHS - Drug Poisoning Mortality, County Trends: United States, 1999–2014

The number of drug overdose deaths in the county has seen a significant increase and is now nearly five times the national average. Relatedly, the rate of premature death in Scott County is the worst in Indiana and has continued to increase every year since 2007.

This map show the regional cost in lives of opioid overdoses. Some believe the number of blue collar workers in careers like manufacturing and mining; coupled with a social change in dealing with pain management for injured workers, these populations are more vulnerable than any other county.

Read more from The New York Times.  Source: CDC's NCHS - Drug Poisoning Mortality, County Trends: United States, 1999–2014

Appalachia is one five regional high intensity drug trafficking areas that have partnered in a $2.5 million funded initiative to share of intelligence, analyze of trends, train of law enforcement, strengthen partnerships between public-health and public-safety agencies, and support programs to help prevent drug abuse. The focus is on treatment, rather than punishment, of addicts.

Drug mortality rates have consistently risen over the years in Woodford County. 80 percent of local prison inmates have a drug problem, and for most of them it’s heroin. The county ambulance director said there are 10 to 15 drug overdoses a month stating, “Our Narcan use is going through the roof,” at $40 a dose.  Source: CDC

Jefferson County had 204 overdose deaths in 2014, the most of any county in Kentucky, as its drug mortality rate continues to rise. Per the state chief medical examiner, "What we can definitely say is that we need to continue to devote significant resources and energy to help curb the tragic and untimely deaths of so many Kentuckians."
Source: CDC