LANSING (AP) — State officials say overdose deaths jumped by 18 percent last year in Michigan with the majority of cases involving opioid abuse.
The state Department of Health and Human Services says nearly 1,700 of the 2,335 overdose deaths in 2016 were opioid-related. There were 1,275 opioid-related deaths in 2015.
Opioids include heroin, prescription opioids, and nonpharmaceutical fentanyl.
The department has launched a media campaign to raise awareness about opioid use, treatment options and proper storage and disposal of prescription drugs.
Earlier this year, Michigan received more than $16 million in Opioid State Targeted Response funds from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
The grant is being used to promote prevention and increase access to treatment by funding state initiatives.
