Opioid overdose deaths in Michigan nearly tripled in 5 years

Opioid overdose deaths in Michigan have increased by almost 9% in 2017 compared to 2016, according to data released this week by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Preliminary data show that, of the 2,729 overdose deaths in Michigan in 2017, 1,941 – or 71% – were opioid-related.

The number of deaths from opioid OD in 2017 has almost tripled in five years. The state recorded 681 such deaths in 2012.

The number of opioid deaths continues to increase, even as doctors have reduced the number of opioid prescriptions.

Drug overdose deaths now exceed the total number of deaths from trafficking and firearms. Michigan had 1,028 deaths in road crashes in 2017 and 1,230 firearm deaths in 2016, the most recent data available.

Place your cursor over a county to see the underlying data.

"The epidemic of opioids continues to be a national emergency that affects every corner of our state and, unfortunately, the number of overdose deaths has continued to increase," said today. Lieutenant Brian Calley in a press release.

"While we have made progress, we must redouble our efforts to prevent addiction and ensure that treatment is available for sufferers so that we can have more second chances and fewer funerals," said Calley in his release.

Michigan's Ministry of Health and Social Services updated its case definition to align with the latest opioid reports and analyzes from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which resulted in a more complete total number .

The new definition includes deaths attributed to opium and unspecified narcotics, which were previously not included in the Michigan data.

State officials have taken various measures to combat the problem of opioids, including encouraging doctors to reduce the number of opioid prescriptions.

After peaking in 2015, the number of these prescriptions tends to decrease: Michigan has issued 9.7 million prescriptions of various opioid drugs in 2017, up from 10.8 million in 2015, a drop of nearly 11%.

See the trend of opioid prescriptions in your Michigan County

Nevertheless, the 2017 ordinances contained 1.2 billion opioid units – enough to give each Michigan resident about 127 tablets, patches or other types of opioid opioids.

State officials attribute this decline to two factors.

One is that prescribers adopt federal recommendations to reduce the use of opioid analgesics, either by reducing the amount prescribed or by trying alternatives first.

But another important factor is that the state has upgraded its computer tracking system of controlled substances, which has made it more efficient and easier to use.

In addition, Michigan issued a standing order in May 2017 allowing pharmacists to distribute naloxone to people at risk for opioid overdose, as well as to family members, friends and others. possibly helping a person. risk of overdose.

Naloxone is a fast-acting, life-saving drug that overcomes an opioid overdose.

Pharmacies across the state issued 10,328 orders of naloxone; 3,374 by standing order and 6,954 by order of physicians, according to the DHHS.

For more information on opioids and additional measures that residents can take to protect themselves and their loved ones, visit www.michigan.gov/stopoverdoses.