Opioid Epidemic

Current Status of Opioid Crisis

Across the nation, opioids were involved in 33,091 deaths in 2015, and opioid overdoses have quadrupled since 1999. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Michigan experienced a 13.3% increase in drug overdose deaths in just one year between 2014 and 2015. Drug overdose is listed as  the leading cause of injury death in 2015. Opioids—both prescription and illicit—are the main driver of drug overdose deaths.

Michigan families are suffering significantly from this crisis. In 2016, 1,689 people died of opioid overdose, this is an increase of 17 times compared to 99 overdose deaths in 1999. The number of overdose deaths is significant in Michigan, according to the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS): our state ranks as 18th in the nation for such deaths.Overdose deaths are seen across both genders, age groups, and socio-economic status. More children are entering the foster care system as a result.

What Are Opioids? How Did This Crisis Develop?

Simply put, Opioids are a class of drugs used to relieve or reduce pain. They reduce the intensity of pain signals reaching the brain and affect those brain areas controlling emotion, which diminishes the effects of a painful stimulus. Prescription opioids can be prescribed by doctors to treat moderate to severe pain, but can also have serious risks and side effects. Common types are oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, and methadone. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever. It is many times more powerful than other opioids and is approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain. Illegally made and distributed fentanyl has been on the rise in several states. Heroin is also an illegal opioid. Heroin use has increased across the U.S. among men and women, most age groups, and all income levels.

Our country and our region have an overabundance of opioid prescriptions. For example, in 2015, there were enough prescriptions for medicating every American 24 hours a day for 21 days. The number of days per prescription also increased 33% from the years 2006 to 2015. Michigan ranks 10th in the nation for opioid prescriptions. In 2015, our state had the equivalent of more than one opioid prescription for every resident. This overabundance coupled with unintended consequence of addiction, lead us into the current crisis.

Opioids in the Region

MiHIA recognized that while there were significant efforts across the region to address the opioid epidemic there was a distinct opportunity to have a coordinated approach. In order to best facilitate this approach the MiHIA Opioid Priority Strategy Workgroup will complete a strategy map of services, interventions, initiatives and actions from multiple sectors and regional community partners and coalitions producing a complete catalog of current activities and approaches across the region. This strategy map will be leveraged to guide information sharing, alignment of resources, identification of scalable models and opportunities to invest resources to address critical gaps and breakthrough opportunities.

As the strategy map is completed priority focus areas will be identified based upon need for alignment and to address gaps and needs. Resources and expertise will be considered in the prioritization process: Examples may include:

Education: Educate physicians and non-physician providers on safe opioid prescribing, tapering, substance use disorder risk, screening and assessment tools, treatment and recovery services, and educate patients on safe opioid use and disposal, alternative pain treatment options, and treatment and recovery services

Policy: Promote the adoption and implementation of consistent policies that support best practice in opioid prescribing, tapering, substance use disorder risk, screening and assessment tools, treatment and recovery referral and access, as well as patient education on safe opioid use and disposal, alternative pain treatment options and treatment and recovery services across the MiHIA 14 county region

Clinical Interventions (alternative, substance use disorder, and recovery): Increase the awareness of and access to clinical interventions for chronic pain, including non-opioid and non- pharmacological interventions, substance use disorder treatment and recovery services across the MiHIA 14 county region

Measuring success is critical to MiHIA. This workgroup will work to impact the following metrics:

• Reduction of opioid overdoses in the MiHIA 14 county region
• Reduction in rate of death due to opioid poisoning in the MiHIA 14 county region
• Reduction of the prescription rate of opioids across the 14 county region
• Reduction of hospital visits due to opioids in the MiHIA 14 county region

For more information or to become involved, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.