The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data released this week shows there was a 5% decrease in people dying from drug overdoses across the country from December 2017 to December 2018.
But in the Southwest, many states saw that number increase. That includes Arizona.
The percent change in drug overdose deaths in Arizona between December 2017 and December 2018 was up 8%.
More than 1,700 Arizonans died from overdosing on any drug in the year to date last December, according to the 12 month-ending count data, which is the highest number recorded so far.
According to the data, more people died overdosing while taking opioids than any other drug.
Since 2014, Arizona has seen a steady increase of drug overdose deaths.
The CDC noted most data reported was incomplete so the numbers are underreported.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct when the drug overdose deaths happened in a 12-month period.
