In 2020, drug overdose deaths were higher than any previous year in Michigan. 

According to preliminary data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Michigan overdose deaths increased by 16%in 2020 with an all-time high of 2,743 deaths. 

Recently, new legislation was introduced to combat the opioid crisis in Michigan. 

The legislation will expand availability of treatment for opioid use disorder in emergency departments and access to naloxone, the life-saving drug that can reverse overdoses, to community-based organizations.

National Recovery Month is coming up in September, aimed at educating Americans that there are substance use treatment and mental health services available to people who are living with or recovering from substance use disorder. 

We’re sharing how CMF members are already engaged in supporting recovery programs and support services. 

The M&M Area Community Foundation (MMACF) invited community members across Marinette and Menominee counties to join them in the Safeguarding Our Communities program training.

MMACF, in partnership with Bellin Health and Public Health of Delta and Menominee Counties, is hosting hybrid in-person and virtual presentations. 

“We provide an overview of opioids, discuss what’s happening in our area, demonstrate how to administer Narcan and highlight the Syringe Service Program run by public health,” Paula Gruszynski executive director of MMACF, said. 

The community foundation has completed 11 trainings to date and has another 5 scheduled with several more in the works.

According to Gruszynski, they have trained emergency responders, elected officials, YMCA members, local nonprofit leaders, staff and students at local their local colleges and universities, members of their Women’s Giving Circle, members of religious organizations, general community members and human resources managers.  

“We are honored to be one of only ten community foundations across Michigan to receive this support. The misuse of, or an addiction to opioids – including prescription pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl – is an ongoing crisis, here and across the country. The first step to dealing with this crisis is to understand the depth of the problem,” Gruszynski said. 

This support comes from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan’s (CFSEM) the Michigan Opioid Partnership (MOP). 

The MOP is a public-private collaborative that includes the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and several CMF members including CFSEM, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, Ethel and James Flinn Foundation, the Jewish Fund and Michigan Health Endowment Fund. 

The MOP aims to increase access to treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). 

As a part of MOP, CFSEM in partnership with Vital Strategies announced grants earlier this year through the Michigan Harm Reduction Project to 10 community foundations, including MMACF, located throughout Michigan to reduce overdose deaths by expanding harm reduction services

According to CFSEM, funding has supported Michigan hospital systems, jails, community foundations and local nonprofits to pilot projects to combat the opioid crisis through prevention, treatment, harm reduction and sustained recovery.

Want more?

Learn more about the Michigan Opioid Partnership.

Learn more about the Michigan Harm Reduction Project.