LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)– The Michigan Division of Well being and Human Providers (MDHHS), reviews overdose deaths within the state of Michigan are down by 5.7% in 2023, with 2,826 deaths recorded in comparison with 2,998 deaths in 2022– 5 instances sooner than the nationwide common.
MDHHS says the decline in overdose deaths may very well be a results of Michigan’s ongoing battle towards the opioid disaster. The division says the reducing variety of overdose deaths could be credited to the launch of Michigan’s Naloxone Direct Portal.
The Naloxone standing order legislation permits pharmacists to dispense Naloxone with out a person prescription and with out figuring out a selected affected person.
The division says the state has elevated entry to fentanyl and xylazine testing strips to assist help people in detecting these harmful medication and scale back the chance of unintentional overdoses.
“Michigan is a leader in addressing opioid addiction and has been recognized for our harm reduction efforts by the National Governor’s Association,” stated Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “We will continue investing in programs that further our efforts to save lives by decreasing substance use disorders, expanding treatment options and improving recovery success.”
MDHHS says whereas this new information appears constructive, there may be nonetheless a niche in racial overdoses– Black residents are 2.8 instances and American Indian/ Alaska Native residents are 2.2 instances extra more likely to die of an overdose than white residents.
“Public health officials, state agencies and community partners have been working tirelessly to reverse overdose trends,” stated Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical govt. “The harm-reduction tools we have implemented are saving lives, but we must ensure that their benefits are felt equally across all communities, particularly among those residents who are disproportionately affected.”
MDHHS plans to implement methods to handle the wants of communities of shade by increasing life-saving assets and bettering outreach by addressing social determinants of well being that contribute to overdose threat, says the division.
“Limited access to care has been a key driver of racial disparities in Michigan communities, from the COVID pandemic to the opioid crisis,” stated Tommy Stallworth, MDHHS senior advisor.
“The state’s commitment to expanding funding for community-based and mobile health services is crucial. By including substance use disorder interventions and improving access to care in marginalized communities, the state is taking important steps toward addressing these disparities in a meaningful way.”
