DETROIT – Michigan‘s overdose death rate has dropped faster than the national average, according to state health officials.
Overdose deaths in Michigan decreased by 5.7% in 2023, with 2,826 deaths—compared to 2,998 deaths in 2022. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) said the overall overdose death rate has dropped from its peak at 31.1 deaths per 100,000 in 2021 to 28.2 in 2023.
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The decline in Michigan from 2021 to 2023 is almost five times greater than the national average, according to MDHHS, based on current available data.
“Michigan is a leader in addressing opioid addiction and has been recognized for our harm reduction efforts by the National Governor’s Association,” said 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 credits the launch of the state’s Naloxone Direct Portal to the decline in the overdose death rate. The portal provides opioid reversal medication for free at community groups and helps distribute Naloxone in high-risk areas.
“Public health officials, state agencies, and community partners have been working tirelessly to reverse overdose trends,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “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.”
Health officials said while the state’s overdose deaths have decreased, racial gaps continue. Black residents are 2.8 times, and Native American residents are 2.2 times more likely to die of an overdose than white residents.
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