(CBS DETROIT) – State officials in Michigan say the overdose death rate has dropped from 2,998 in 2022 to 2,826 in 2023.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the state’s decline between 2021 and 2023 was also five times faster than the national decline over the same period.
The state attributes the decline to the launch of its Naxlone Direct Portal, which provides Narcan for free to community groups. Officials say increased access to fentanyl and xylazine test strips has also contributed to the decline in overdose deaths.
“Michigan is a leader in addressing opioid addiction and has been recognized for our harm reduction efforts by the National Governor’s Association,” MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said in a statement. “We will continue to invest in programs that advance our efforts to save lives by reducing substance use disorders, expanding treatment options and improving recovery success.”
MDHHS officials say despite the decline, a racial divide still exists. For example, Black residents and American Indian/Alaska Natives are 2.8 and 2.2 times more likely to die, respectively, than white residents.
“The disparities in mortality rates reflect a broader systemic problem that is being addressed through targeted interventions in communities of color. MDHHS takes a data-driven approach to ensure substance abuse financing reaches the communities with the greatest needs,” the department said in a news release.
