In an effort to combat the opioid epidemic and help people in need, the state of Michigan has unveiled a website with information on treatment facilities, drug take back sites, and pharmacies that dispense opioid overdose-reversing Narcan. Prescriptions are not needed for Narcan.
The new website is at www.michigan.gov/opioids.
Information on the Michigan State Police Angel Program — which allows people struggling with addiction to walk into any state police post for help — is also available. People accepted into the MSP Angel Program are assessed and placed into treatment.
Last year, there were 2,279 overdose deaths in Michigan — 1,941 were opioid-related. In 2016, there were 1,786 opioid-related deaths. In 2015, there were 1,320.
Opioids include pain medications such as oxycodone (brand name: OxyContin), hydrocodone, methadone, fentanyl, hydrocodone/acetaminophen (brand names: Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Vicodin), hydromorphone (brand names: Dilaudid, Exalgo), meperidine (brand name: Demerol), morphine, oxycodone/acetaminophen (brand names: Percocet, Roxicet); codeine. The animal tranquilizer carfentanil is also also an opioid. Heroin is also an opioid.
Contact Georgea Kovanis: gkovanis@freepress.com or 313-222-6842. Follow her on Twitter @georgeakovanis.
https://www.freep.com/story/news/2018/10/23/state-michigan-opioid-website/1740847002/
