Downriver Communities Hardest Hit by Opioid Crisis
Lincoln Park and Ecorse top list of highest drug related death rates
New analysis shows several of Metro Detroit’s Downriver communities are experiencing higher rates of opioid overdoses. Data analytics from the last 5 years show Lincoln Park and Ecorse having the highest drug-related death rates in Michigan. The numbers are part of a new report published by the state’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and Appriss Health. LARA Acting Deputy Director, Kim Gaedeke, says the some of the data came from the state’s mandatory automated prescription system, which requires doctors to submit patient information when prescribing narcotics. The report cross-referenced, prescribers, prescriptions, and patients.
“Having this type of assessment is really going to help us identify not only communities with possible prescribers who might be over prescribing or dispensers that are over dispensing but also looking at overdose deaths that are occurring higher in certain communities than others and being able to better tackle those issues in those respective communities” -Kim Gaedeke, LARA
Gaedeke says the findings may help lead to new laws, target resources and design programs to address the opioid crisis. In addition to Lincoln Park and Ecorse, Romulus, Wyandotte, Woodhaven, and Southgate are among the top 10 communities with the highest drug-related overdose deaths.
