A steep drop in Michigan overdose deaths, thanks in part to Narcan

Drug overdose deaths fell by 1,000, or about 34%, in 2024, according to provisional state data.

That’s an unprecedented drop, and a steeper decrease than the national average

State leaders, as well as providers, credit opioid settlement dollars that have expanded efforts in prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery

About 1,000 fewer Michiganders died last year of overdoses compared to 2023 — an unprecedented decline in a state where, until recently, opioids claimed someone every four hours.

It’s the third consecutive year of declines. There were 1,927 deaths last year compared to 2,931 in 2023, according to provisional data by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

The drop coincides with a national decline in drug deaths, as reported recently by the US Centers