BISMARCK, N.D. (Prairie Public Radio) – Overdose deaths in the US are climbing and topped 100,000 last year.

North Dakota is also reporting something similar. Pam Sagness is the director of the Behavioral Health Division with the North Dakota Department of Human Services.

Sagness says one of the first things to focus on is preventing death at the point of overdose.

Sagness says both are readily available – and are offered free by the Department.

Another strategy is to connect people to effective treatment.

Sagness says providing treatment in rural areas remains a challenge. She says the Department is working on expanding treatment into those areas.