TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) _ The number of drug overdose deaths in Pima County continues to exceed 300 per year.

The Arizona Daily Star reports (http://bit.ly/1d9XVw0 ) the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office handled 324 deaths due to overdoses in 2014, down three deaths from the previous year. The majority of deaths were classified as accidents from opiate drugs, including oxycodone, morphine, heroin and hydrocodone.

A group of local health providers, rehabilitation specialists, pharmacists and others are working to increase provider participation in the state’s prescription drug monitoring program because not all providers are using it.

The director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, Dr. Cara Christ, says reducing prescription drug abuse in the state is a top priority because too many people are dying.