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District Attorney Dave Sunday speaks about why people must focus on the heroin epidemic in York County. He said 80 percent of crime in the county is connected to drug activity. York Daily Record

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Economic hardship and even natural disasters may play a role in overdose deaths, according to new research from Penn State University. 

In a story by whyy.org, researchers spoke about their findings from studying every county in the United States. As incomes dropped and unemployment rose, they found higher rates of opioid-related deaths. Deaths were higher in rural areas, too, and may be related to declining farm incomes.

The study also found that that areas with histories of floods, hurricanes and other national disasters have more opioid deaths. The more natural disasters communities endured over time, the higher their rates of opioid overdose tended to be.

Read the full report at whyy.org.

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Denise Shanahan cares for her two grandsons. Their mother overdosed on heroin two years ago. Wochit

 

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Read or Share this story: https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/pennsylvania/2018/01/23/do-natural-disasters-play-role-opioid-deaths/1057354001/