Bob Wheaton
LANSING – Michigan is reporting its second consecutive year of decreasing opioid overdose deaths and drug overdose deaths overall – showing the progress that has been made under the state’s comprehensive efforts to combat the national epidemic.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced today that in 2019 there were 2,354 overdose deaths in Michigan, 1,768 of which were opioid-related.
Overall overdose deaths declined by 9.4% from the 2,599 in 2018 – a number that is now below what was seen in 2016.
Opioid-related overdose deaths decreased by 13.2% from the 2018 total of 2,036 – a greater decline than the more modest gain the previous year.
However, preliminary data for January-June 2020 show 1,340 overdose deaths – up from 1,155 in those same months in 2019, an increase of 16%. Similarly, opioid-related overdose deaths increased from 874 in the first half of 2019 to 1,045 in the same period in 2020, an increase of 20%. The 202
MDHHS - Michigan overdose deaths decrease again in 2019, with a greater decline than in 2018; Opioid overdose deaths also decrease as state efforts pay off michigan.gov - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from michigan.gov Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
An ongoing epidemic, that saw an increase in drug overdoses and overdose deaths in 2020, received a breath of life in the form of a bill filed with the help of Onslow County s senator.
One week ago, Senator Michael Lazzara (R-Onslow) announced the introduction of SB 321 called the Amend NC Controlled Substance Act . The bill is seen as a tool to help combat the fight against the opioid crisis in North Carolina by making fentanyl distribution and possession a Class 1 felony.
Simple possession of fentanyl is currently a misdemeanor in the state as the bill would bump offenders up to a maximum punishment of two years in jail if convicted.
Time running out as lawmakers race to fix drug possession law tossed by state high court Matt Markovich, KOMO News reporter
Time running out as lawmakers race to fix drug possession law tossed by state high court
Replay Video UP NEXT
The clock is running down for a fix to the drug possession law that was thrown out by the Washington State Supreme Court in February, stripping local law enforcement agencies of the ability to make arrests for that charge.
One bill in the state legislature appears to be emerging as a middle of the road, Goldilocks consensus proposal because it has something that may please everyone who has an interest in the law. But that could mean the legislation has too much in it for all sides to reach agreement.
Very bare-bones Bel Air draft budget would raise property taxes by 4 cents; first increase since 2004 baltimoresun.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from baltimoresun.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.