Opioid-related deaths in Michigan are growing. State officials said more people overdosed and died in 2017 than in 2016.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services officials said the overdose deaths in Ingham County last year more than tripled than from a decade ago.
In Ingham County, there were 64 deaths last year compared to 19 in 2008.
In Clinton County, there were 2 deaths in 2008 and 9 deaths in 2017. In Eaton County, there were 5 deaths in 2008 and 13 deaths in 2017. In Hillsdale County, there were 2 deaths in 2008 and 4 deaths in 2017. In Jackson County there was 1 death in 2008 and 7 deaths in 2017.
In 2017, opioid deaths jumped by about 9% over 2016. Even though officials said that over the last three years overdose deaths have been steadily increasing, the year-over-year increase is actually slowing down.
For example, between 2015 and 2016, the deaths jumped by 35%.
The state has tried to combat this epidemic by providing online resources for patients, health workers, and communities, an automated prescription system and drug take-back sites.
FOX 47 learned that over three hundred pounds of prescription drugs were brought to the Michigan Pharmacists Association Annual Medication Disposal event. Of those 351-pounds -- 62 were controlled substances.
The department last year also ordered pharmacists to distribute the overdose reversal drug narcan to eligible individuals.
