YPSILANTI, Mich. – Washtenaw County is seeing a significant decrease in drug overdoses.
According to the Washtenaw County Health Department, 2024 saw 66 drug overdoses, a 25% decrease from 2023 and the fewest amount since 2016.
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Of the 66 who died last year, nearly two-thirds died from an opioid-related overdose. Of those 42, the county said most were white men between 25 and 54 years old.
Officials said 39 of the opioid-related overdoses involved fentanyl.
Officials cite increased access to harm reduction tools, treatment, recovery programs and other community efforts in driving the first drop in fatal overdoses Washtenaw County has seen since 2019.
Related: City of Detroit launches harm reduction stations to combat opioid crisis
Overdose prevention, harm reduction
The Washtenaw County Health Department released tips on how to prevent a possible overdose.
- Test drugs using fentanyl test strips
- Avoid using alone and take turns when using with others
- Take care if you have not used in a while
- Avoid mixing drugs, including alcohol
- Have naloxone ready and know how to use it
Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a safe medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. In Washtenaw County, residents have access to free naloxone and fentanyl test strips, which can detect fentanyl in various drugs and forms, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, pills, powder, and injectables.
Related: How Narcan reverses opioid overdoses
The full report can be read below.