Reports Tally Heavy Toll Levied by Opioids, Tobacco

The Indianapolis-based Fairbanks Foundation has released two reports detailing the toll drugs — especially opioids — and tobacco take on the state. The nonprofit says drug deaths in Indiana, the "vast majority" linked to opioids, rose to more than 1,700 last year. Smoking and secondhand smoke are attributed to 12,500 deaths in 2017. In all, the results say, the addictions cost the state $12.6 billion annually.