Opioid-related deaths decrease as cocaine-related deaths increase in Michigan

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - A yearly report from Sparrow showed a decline in opioid and heroin deaths and a rise in cocaine and methamphetamine-related deaths.

Sparrow Forensic Pathology Services released its 2022 annual report on drug-related deaths in five counties. They covered Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, and Shiawassee. According to Sparrow, the report included declines in total drug-related deaths and in opioid and heroin-related deaths. Meanwhile, it showed an increase in cocaine, stimulant-related, and amphetamine/methamphetamine-related deaths.

Sparrow defines drug-related deaths as “those which result entirely or partially from the physiologic effects of acute toxicity. Therefore, included here are deaths which resulted from a combination of natural disease and acute intoxication.”

In 2022, the total number of drug-related deaths decreased by 9%.

Sparrow posted a list of statistics on drug-death percentages:

“Opioid-related deaths decreased by 8% (13 fewer)
Heroin-related2 deaths decreased by 25% (1 fewer)
Fentanyl-related deaths decreased by 2% (3 fewer)
Stimulant-related deaths increased by 17% (17 more)
Cocaine-related deaths increased by 35% (18 more)
Amphetamine/Methamphetamine-related deaths increased by 6% (4 more)
Ethanol (alcohol)-related deaths decreased by 35% (16 fewer)”

82% of all drug-related deaths involved at least one opioid according to Sparrow. Meanwhile, 62% of all drug-related deaths involved at least one stimulant drug.

If you want to view more information, you can go to Sparrow’s website and view the 2022 annual drug report.

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