The number of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, which can be manufactured in smaller, more concentrated quantities that only takes a small amount to be lethal, is drastically increasing across the county. Whether used in its pure form or mixed with other drugs, it’s the prevalence of synthetic opioids that experts believe is behind overdose deaths totals for 2017 hitting record highs.

Drug overdose deaths in Indiana in 2017 were not only the highest they have ever been, but the state also saw one of the biggest increases in the country from the previous year. This is according to new preliminary data released this month by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Roughly 1,840 people died of an overdose in the state last year, an 18 percent increase over 2016 and a 37 percent increase over 2015. In the United States, about 72,000 died of overdoses last year, a 10 percent increase from 2016.

Indiana, along with Ohio, West Virginia and New Jersey, saw some of the biggest spikes. While the 2017 totals include deaths from all types of drugs, a vast majority of the overdoses were caused by opioids.

Some states did see decreases in overdose deaths, but there were very few, showing the opioid epidemic has yet to slow down for a majority of the country as synthetic drugs fuel the crisis. In the U.S., there was a 31 percent increase in 2017 in the number of overdose deaths that involved a synthetic opioid. Indiana and St. Joseph County were no exception to the trend.

The county’s total overdose deaths didn’t change much, going from 60 to 61 from 2016 to 2017, but the number of deaths involving synthetics opioids went from three to 30, according to numbers from the Indiana State Department of Health. And of the 25 overdose deaths reported through July of this year, 18 of them involved synthetic opioids.

The number of synthetic overdose deaths in Indiana went from 302 to 583.

In “just about every case” the DIU investigates — whether an overdose death or a drug dealer arrest — synthetic opioids are involved, Wells said.

Although St. Joseph County had a spike in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, Wells said he is seeing some positive signs. The DIU is seeing a significant decrease in the number of illegally obtained prescription opioids on the streets.

He credits the increase in “pill drop” events and prescription drop boxes. that have been added around the area that allow people to securely dispose of their unused medications.

And the county’s overall total overdose deaths has steadied and Wells has hopes 2018 will see a decrease. There have been 25 overdose deaths this year, but at this time last year there had been 40, Wells said.

“The goal is to be less than last year,” Wells said, “and we are on track for that.”