Opioid Crisis Increases Due To COVID-19

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Rooms in Michigan, have seen a substantial increase in opioid overdoses.

The increases are a painful reminder of the opioid epidemic, and the damage they cause.

Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services is urging anyone with an opioid addiction, to carry naloxone and to practice other safety measures to prevent overdose deaths.

Research indicates that responses to opioid overdoses shot up by 33% from April to May,  and responses to overdoses from April through June of this year, were 26% higher compared to last year.

Opioid overdoses increased in all demographics with the exception of those 65 and older, over the last year.

Chief Health Officer Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, said “Opioid overdoses kill far too many Michiganders, and it’s a double tragedy that the pandemic has exacerbated this crisis.”

Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services continues to work to stop the opioid crisis.