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The state of Michigan intends to use $ 56 million in federal grants to help reduce opioid addiction.
"In Michigan, we focus on prevention because addiction is a health issue and not a law enforcement problem," Republican General Brian Calley told Watchdog.org. "People do not choose to become addicted and we pledge to help them to have more second chances and less funerals."
Calley is chair of the working group on the abuse of prescription drugs and opioids.
According to figures provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, there were 2,729 overdose deaths in Michigan in 2017; 1,941 were related to opioids, compared to 1,786 in 2016.
The grant money is available until September 29, 2020. The annual funding breaks down as follows: about $ 15 million for treatment, $ 7.5 million for prevention and $ 3.7 million dollars for recovery.
Treatment will include expansion of prison services, expansion of telehealth-based services, and increased peer support. Prevention will include a public awareness campaign and training of physicians in opioid prescription methods and addiction. In addition, the recovery will include a 24-hour helpline, the extension of recovery housing and employment training for opioid drug-using residents aged 18 to 25 years.
In 2017, Michigan also allowed pharmacists to distribute naloxone to people at risk of opioid-related overdose. Currently, 60% of state pharmacies have registered to dispense naloxone.
Michigan is also advancing marijuana licenses for medical purposes. Some activists argued that marijuana for medical purposes was a safer alternative than opioids, as there was no risk of death from marijuana overdose as exists for opiates.
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