Fentanyl-related deaths spiked in 2017

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — The number of people killed in Kalamazoo County by the powerful opioid fentanyl increased nearly six-fold from 2015 to 2017, a new report concludes.

The Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department released its 2019 drug and opioid report Monday, outlining three years of data surrounding the prescription drug epidemic. The agency found fentanyl-related deaths in the county rose from six in 2015 to 35 in 2017.

Also spiking: methamphetamine-related deaths. Health officials say 16 people died from meth in 2017 — more than five times higher than 2015’s death rate from meth.

>>PDF: Kalamazoo County 2019 Drug and Opioid Epidemic Report

The number of emergency room visits in Kalamazoo County for opioid-related issues peaked in 2016 at 350, averaging to nearly one opioid overdose case a day. Most of those visits were for heroin-related overdoses, which tripled among men and nearly tripled among women from 2015 to 2017.

The report found in 2017, there were 63.3 opioid prescriptions for every 100 people — roughly 8 percent higher than the national average.

The good news: the county says the number of opioid prescriptions has been dropping since 2011, as is the quantity and strength of the prescriptions pharmacies are filling.

Health officials also pointed out that the rate of opioid-related deaths in Kalamazoo County in 2107 was lower than the state average — 16,7 deaths per 100,000 residents compared to 19.1 deaths per 100,000 residents.

Kalamazoo County health officials pointed out that the drug overdose reversal drug naloxone is covered by Medicaid and many other insurances and available without a prescription at a variety of Michigan pharmacies listed on the state’s website. Naloxone kits are also available by contacting the Southwest Michigan Chapter of Families Against Narcotics at 269.580.8290.