According to latest reports, Michigan's overdose deaths rose by 14% from 2013 to 2014. Although the state has not yet had the chance to analyze and publish the results of the 2015-2016 year, it is believed that the trend is continuing as authorities and rehab facilities are seeing an influx of addicts struggling with heroin and painkiller addictions. Overall, a total of more than 1,740 people died from drug overdoses in Michigan during 2014, up from the 1,535 overdose deaths the state saw in 2013. Compare that number to the 455 overdose deaths in 1999 and it's apparent that Michigan's overdose fatality rate is 5 times higher than it was just 15 years ago. In fact, drug overdose is now listed as the state's #1 cause of injury-related death.

Which Drugs are to Blame?

While there is a wide range of street drugs available throughout Michigan, and synthetic designer drugs are a huge part of a growing problem, the stats reveal that heroin and opioid analgesics (painkillers) are the primary causative agents involved in the majority of the state's overdose deaths. Per Wickstrom, the founder of A Forever Recovery addiction treatment center in Battle Creek, has confirmed that most of the patients that come to his organization for help are afflicted with longstanding addictions to pills and street heroin, which is known to frequently contain harmful contaminants. 

The Problem is Worse in the Metro Detroit Area

The stats show that most of Michigan's drug overdose deaths occur in the metro Detroit area, which includes the surrounding four counties of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw. However, while the city of Detroit itself had 132 overdose deaths in 2014, that same year Wayne County as a whole had 322, while Macomb county had 249. Thus, it appears that the many of the overdose deaths are occurring in the suburbs, satellite cities, and rural areas surrounding Detroit.

A Closer Look at the Demographics of the Victims

The majority of the heroin overdose victims were young adults in the age range of 25-34, whereas adults in the age range of 35-44 had the most deaths involving the use of painkillers. In addition, more than 60% of the victims were male, showing that men in the ages of 25-44 are at the greatest risk for experiencing a fatal overdose, which coincides with other studies showing that men are more prone to developing substance use disorders than women. The stats also tell us that street heroin is used more widely and with less inhibition among the younger crowd, whereas the older group prefers prescription opioids instead.

Addressing the State's Addiction Problem

As reports like these repeatedly highlight the horrible drug epidemic being faced by the state of Michigan and the Detroit metropolitan area, it is apparent that the region needs to focus on supporting the existing rehabilitation facilities, such as the aforementioned A Forever Recovery center. There are already plenty of places where addicts can go to get sober, but they need to be highlighted and advertised more for the sake of public health.