Opioid overdose deaths rose more than 7 percent in Massachusetts in 2015, according to new data released by the state Department of Public Health. Statewide, overdose deaths rose to 1,379 last year from 1,282 in 2014, a smaller rate of increase than in previous years.

Despite the rise, experts said progress is being made against the epidemic. Steven Chisholm, an assistant professor in the drug and alcohol rehabilitation education program at North Shore Community College in Danvers, Massachusetts, said the death toll would be “much higher” were it not for the efforts being waged against opiates.

“There are things happening at multiple fronts,” Chisholm said. “There’s just so many different tiers to how you want to address this crisis.”

Chisholm pointed to several approaches that have been taken, including the increased use of naloxone  by police and others to reverse overdoses. Emergency responders administered naloxone 12,982 times in 2015, according to state estimates.

Community forums, a statewide anti-stigma campaign, prescription drug monitoring, drug disposal sites and other measures have helped raised awareness of the dangers of opiates, Chisholm said, although he would like to see more emphasis on prevention.

“We don’t tend to fund prevention at levels that make the greatest impact,” he said.

For the first time, the data from the state included information about fentanyl , a powerful synthetic painkiller often added to heroin to increase its potency. The data showed more than 50 percent of 2015’s opioid-related overdose deaths included a toxicology screen that tested positive for fentanyl.

“It’s a scary, scary trend, and right now it’s going in the wrong direction,” said state Rep. Paul Tucker.

Last year, Tucker, a former police chief, co-sponsored legislation allowing for the prosecution of drug dealers for possession of fentanyl. Tucker said medical examiners found very few overdose cases involving fentanyl when he first began looking into the issue in 2009 and 2010, but its prevalence has skyrocketed since.

Tucker said he believes the increased awareness of fentanyl and the stronger punishments available will eventually help to reduce overdoses.

“Every little bit helps,” he said. “It’s a piece of a bigger attack on this whole problem, but it’s definitely a strong piece.”

Chisholm, a former addiction counselor, said it appears people are committed long-term to fighting the epidemic, as opposed to previous attempts that waned.

“The efforts have to be sustained and broadened to really make the impact that’s needed to eventually see a decrease,” he said. “It seems like they are being sustained, more so than in the last few years. I try to have some hope.”

Leighton writes for the Salem, Massachusetts News.