Overdose Deaths Exceed Traffic Fatalities

ST. PAUL (AP) -- The Minnesota Department of Health says the number of people who have died from heroin and prescription painkiller overdoses in 2013 is greater than those killed in traffic accidents.

The department says 507 people died of drug overdoses last year, compared to 374 in motor vehicle accidents.

Washington County Attorney Pete Orput says that in the past two years, his office has prosecuted 12 cases related to drug overdose deaths.

Orput says sometimes he feels he's losing the war against drugs.

The health department says that since 2000, nearly 5,000 people statewide have died from overdoses.