ST. PAUL (AP) — New data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that deaths from opioid overdoses rose in Minnesota last year, especially among younger adults.

At least 338 people died from opioid overdoses in 2015, up from 319 the previous year. The highest number of overdose deaths occurred among people in their late 20s or early 30s rather than older people for the first time since at least the 1990s.

Dana Farley is the Minnesota Department of Health's alcohol and drug prevention policy director and says the accessibility of synthetic opioids could account for some deaths among younger users.

The number of people killed by opioid overdoses in Minnesota has risen steadily since 1999. Prince died of an overdose of the opioid fentanyl in April.

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