Deadly opioid carfentanil reemerges in Michigan with 11 associated deaths recorded since January

MDHHS urges actions to help save lives, prevent fatal overdoses

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is warning Michigan residents about carfentanil, a potent fentanyl alteration that is reemerging in the unregulated drug supply and contributing to overdose deaths. 

Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid. It is approximately 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl. Carfentanil was developed for veterinary use with large animals and is not approved for use in humans.  

“Carfentanil is an extremely potent and deadly drug,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “We’re urging people who use unregulated drugs – and their loved ones – to carry naloxone, an easy to administer nasal spray that can reverse opioid overdoses and save lives. Awareness and quick action can help save lives.” 

Between January and June 2025, 11 deaths involving carfentanil were identified. The deaths occurred in Ingham, Livingston, Eaton, Genesee, Oakland and Wayne counties. None of the deaths were positive for carfentanil alone; 10 individuals also tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl was found in eight cases.

Carfentanil was previously seen in Michigan in 2016 and 2017, contributing to 107 deaths in 2016 and 111 in 2017. Carfentanil-related deaths dropped to counts les than five in 2018, 2019, 2020, then zero in 2021 and 2022. Finalized data identified 14 deaths in late 2023 as involving carfentanil. 

Analysis of recent provisional data from MDHHS indicates a 34% reduction in overdose deaths from 2,931 deaths in 2023 to a projected 1,927 in 2024. Carfentanil reemerging in the unregulated drug supply could impact future improvements and is concerning for these reasons: 

•          Its higher strength could lead to more overdoses and overdose-related deaths, even for people with a high tolerance for opioids. 
•          It quickly causes central nervous system depression, which can lead to rapid death. 
•          Its higher strength could require multiple doses of naloxone to be administered to reverse an overdose. 
•          It is increasingly found among overdose deaths that also include cocaine, methamphetamine and other stimulants. People may use these drugs and not be aware they could contain carfentanil. 

MDHHS is urging the following actions: 

•          Carry naloxone. 
  •    Residents and organizations can request free naloxone though the MDHHS naloxone request form or through a pharmacy; no prescription required. 
  •    Contact a harm reduction agency for naloxone. 
•          Use harm reduction strategies to lessen the risk of overdose. 
  •    This includes using less and taking it more slowly, carrying naloxone, not using by yourself and monitoring breathing. 
•          Follow the overdose response guideline if you suspect someone is experiencing an opioid overdose: 

1.     Evaluate for signs of opioid overdose. 
   •    Person is unconscious or unable to be awakened. 
   •    Slow or shallow breathing or breathing difficulty such as choking sounds or a gurgling noise from a person who cannot be awakened. 
   •    Fingernails or lips turning blue/purple/grey. 
      
2.     Call 911 for help. 
3.     Administer naloxone. 
4.     If possible, support the person’s breathing through rescue breathing. 
   •    Get the person on their back, tip their head back to straighten the airway, pinch their nose, put your mouth over theirs and form a seal. Give one breath every five seconds. If you do not feel comfortable with this step, it is still important to call 911 and administer naloxone. 
5.     Monitor the person’s response. 

MDHHS will continue monitoring for carfentanil among overdose deaths and will share additional information as it becomes available. Agencies aware of any carfentanil-involved overdoses or exposures since January 2025, should share this information at MDHHS-MODASurveillance@Michigan.gov. 

For more information on Michigan harm reduction agencies, the life-saving services they provide and what strategies individuals can use to reduce the harms of drug use, visit Harm Reduction and Syringe Service Programs.   

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