Washington state health officials say preliminary data shows more people died of drug overdoses in 2020 in the state than any year in at least the past decade.

SEATTLE -- More people in Washington state died of drug overdoses in 2020 than any year in at least the past decade, with the surge likely driven by the effects of the pandemic, state health officials said.

The Seattle Times reported that fatal drug overdoses in Washington state increased more than 30% last year compared to 2019, according to the data from the state Health Department.