LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – A new report shows that fewer drug users are dying. The report shows that the number of drug-related deaths in the second quarter of this year is at a six-year low.
The information comes from UofM Health Sparrow’s quarterly drug report. Drug-related deaths in Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Livingston and Shiawassee counties have dropped from 189 deaths in 2023 to just 80 deaths so far in 2024.
According to the report, deaths involving opioids, fentanyl or cocaine decreased this quarter. Sparrow’s Michelle Fox said that while the data ebbs and flows, they have seen positive trends.
“In previous quarters we saw a large increase in cocaine production, but this quarter the amount of cocaine decreased,” Fox said.
So far this year, the largest number of drug-related deaths have come from Ingham County, where 51 people have died, but that’s down from 131 deaths a year ago. The decline is attributed to more resources and educational opportunities becoming available through groups like Wellness InX in Lansing.
“I would attribute that to the fact that we have Narcan more readily available to people in the community, whether it’s Narcan vending machines or the fact that we’re actually handing out Narcan at the hospital,” said Robert Smith of Wellness InX. .
Smith also said the county’s Opioid Rapid Response Team through the Ingham County Health Department has helped drive the trend.
“You have patients who don’t understand what’s available, you have family members who don’t understand what’s available and we can give them some of those answers, making it much easier for the family,” Smith explained.
UofM Health Sparrow will release its full annual report later this year.
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