TALLINN, January 29 (RIA Novosti) - A total of 160 deaths were caused by a drug overdose in Estonia last year, the highest number in the country’s entire history, Interior Minister Ken Marti-Vaher said on Tuesday.

The number of deaths was up by 28, or a 21 percent increase from 2011.

Some €350,000 ($471,660) were allocated for special police operations against drug related crimes, the minister said.

A special government commission was set up to prevent drug abuse, monitor the anti-drug effort and advise the government on the issue.

The current priority is to control the fentanyl market, he said, referring to what is believed to be the most dangerous drug and the chief cause of death from overdose.

Estonia has a population of about 1.3 million.