The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is welcoming news that drug overdose deaths went down in the state last year.

The state health department says overdose deaths decreased by 5.7% in 2023, marking further progress in the fight against opioid abuse. However, here in Berrien County, overdose deaths were the same last year as they were year before. Berrien County Health Officer Guy Miller tells us there was progress on the opioid front, though.

“Although our numbers have not come down yet, the total drug-related deaths involving opioids has decreased,” Miller said. “So that is good news.”

Miller says opioids accounted for 86% of overdose deaths in Berrien County in 2022, but 67% in 2023. The rest of the drug overdose deaths involved other substances, like alcohol, cocaine, and meth.

As for why opioid deaths were down, Miller says it’s the result of harm reduction. That is, more people have learned about the overdose-blocking drug, naloxone, and they’re keeping doses on hand. He says that’s been saving lives.

“Narcan or naloxone is that solution that can offer somebody a second life that can save someone’s life and they can turn around from that point and say, ‘I’m never doing this again.’ It gives them the option.”

Miller says there are nine locations around Berrien County where anyone can get free doses of naloxone, or Narcan. You can see them here.

Although Berrien County hasn’t seen an overall drop in overdose deaths, Miller says the news from the state is encouraging, and he expects the trend to eventually reach the area.