| Resources for Community Members | Resources for Local Governments |
| Opioid Basics | Request Technical Assistance |
| Find a Treatment Provider | Technical Assistance Providers |
| Get Naloxone | Planning and Tracking Resources |
| Learn About Michigan's Crisis Response | Other State's Settlements |
Opioids are a broad group of substances best known for their benefits as pain relievers and for the euphoric effects they can produce. These effects are created by the interaction theses substances have with opioid receptors in the human body.
Beyond pain relief and recreation, opioids have other positive effects on the human body. For example, they can reduce anxiety and other mental health ailments. Some opioids can also be used as a cough suppressant and anti-diarrheal. People begin using opioids, both legally and illegally, to experience these positive effects. Unfortunately, using opioids places a person at risk for experiencing negative health outcomes. These could include dependence, criminal justice involvement, exposure to communicable disease, and accidental poisoning (overdose).
Illicit (illegal) opioids, such as heroin, differ very little chemically from their prescription counterparts. However, because they are manufactured illegally, they are not subject to the rigorous quality control standards that legally manufactured opioids are. Because of this, quality and purity can vary greatly. An increase in potent additives, such as fentanyl and xylazine, have been detected in Michigan’s illicit drug supply. Several Michigan Syringe Service Programs (SSPs) offer test strips to detect the presence of these additives in drug samples. Please contact your local SSP prior to visiting to ensure they offer the service(s) you are seeking.
Prescription opioids can be produced, prescribed, and dispensed legally by licensed providers in Michigan. However, theses prescription drugs can also be diverted and obtained illicitly. View a list of, and learn more about, commonly prescribed opioids (CDC).
When properly prescribed for pain in certain patients, opioid medications can have immense benefits to the patient’s health and well-being that can often not be achieved as effectively with other treatments. It is important that prescribers balance the benefits and risks when prescribing these medications, and that they are trained specifically in opioid prescribing for management of chronic pain. For many people, problematic opioid use began with pain management or when they began using someone else's pain medication. Learn more about efforts to reduce over-prescribing and opioid medication diversion.
There are numerous routes by which opioids can be administered. Prescribed opioids are most commonly taken orally. However, some may be prescribed for transdermal, sublingual, submucosal, or other routes of administration where medically indicated. Prescription and illicit opioids are often administered for nonmedical use through routes such as intravenous injection, subcutaneous injection, insufflation (snorting), inhalation (smoking), and rectal absorption (boofing). Health risks vary between routes, but generally increase when opioids are used nonmedically. Health risks include HIV, hepatitis C and other communicable disease infection, as well as increased risk for accidental drug poisoning (overdose). These risks can be mitigated with harm reduction education and access to sterile medical supplies.
If you or a loved one are experiencing issues with opioid, or other substance use, we have resources to help. Click below to find more information naloxone access, the Drug Abuse Hotline, a list of treatment facilities, and other resources.
Naloxone (commonly known by the brand name Narcan) is a life-saving medication used to reverse the effect of an opioid overdose. Naloxone is easy to use, not addictive, and has very little potential to harm someone. In Michigan, it is legal for anyone to possess and use naloxone if they suspect an overdose. Learn more about naloxone, how to use it, and where to get it.
Since 2000, opioid overdose deaths have grown ten-fold in Michigan. This epidemic impacts thousands of Michiganders and their families, friends, and communities. It’s one of the greatest public health crises of our lifetimes, and we must respond urgently.
Learn More About Michigan's Opioid Crisis Response
There are is an ever-increasing array of resources available to assist local governments and communities as they plan for investing opioid settlement funds. For an extensive and well-organized list of those resources, please visit The Michigan Association of Counties (MAC) Opioid Settlement Resource Library. This library highlights resources to explore principles and tracking, evidence-based and promising practices, local government tools, legal resources, equity resources, other toolkits and reports and additional opportunities for funding.
MAC Opioid Settlement Resource Library
Data Resources for Local Planning
If you represent a local municipal, township, or county government and are interested in assistance in applying best practice to your settlement fund investments, please click the link below and complete the form. You can also email MDHHS-OpioidSettlementHelp@Michigan.gov with your request and to sign up for the MDHHS Settlement Mailing List.
Request Technical Assistance Consultation
The Michigan Association of Counties (MAC) Opioid Settlement Resource Center website is a centralized hub for county governments engaged in planning and utilization of opioid settlement funds. The resource center houses a settlement dashboard, a toolkit for local planning, templates for local government use, a resource library and technical assistance request form. The Michigan Opioid Settlement Toolkit: A Guide for Local Spending, developed by the Michigan Association of Counties in partnership with Vital Strategies, is a roadmap for local governments to assist with planning for, and utilization of, opioid settlement funds. The document is intended to be a tool and provide direction on process and linkage to existing resources provided by local and national entities. Support and technical assistance are available through completion of the Opioid Settlement Assistance Request Form
The Michigan Opioid Settlement Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC)
The Michigan Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC): In 2023, MDHHS contracted three state universities to assist in providing technical assistance to county governments as they plan for investing Opioid Settlement funds. Michigan State University, Wayne State University, and the University of Michigan will provide individualized technical assistance to priority counties. Universities will also host learning collaboratives, and provide other resources, that will be made available to all local governments. Request a Technical Assistance Consultation. Opioid Technical Assistance Learning Series Webinars |
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May 16th, 2023 - Determining Local Needs and Assets through Engaged Community Assessment The Opioid Settlement Technical Assistance Learning Series presents experts from Michigan State University who present on determining local needs and assets through engaged community assessment.
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June 8th, 2023 - Overview of the Opioid Settlement & Discussion on Exhibit E The Opioid Settlement Technical Assistance Learning Series presents experts from Wayne State University and the Michigan Attorney General’s office who present an overview of the opioid settlements and the approved uses of settlement funds defined in Exhibit E. |
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July 27th, 2023 - Treating Opioid Use Disorder in Jails The July 2023 Opioid Settlement Technical Assistance Learning Series Webinar features experts from Wayne State University presenting on the topic of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) and their effective administration within a carceral setting.
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September 29th, 2023 -TAC Overview The Opioid Settlement Technical Assistance Learning Series presents project leaders from Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services describing the foundation and operation of the Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC). Participants will learn about the technical assistance benefits available to local governments as they plan their opioid settlement investments, and how to access those benefits. |
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December 7th, 2023 - Evaluation Strategies for Substance Use Programs In this Installment of the TAC Learning Series, Stella Resko, PhD., from Wayne State University will present on strategies for evaluating programs funded through opioid settlement investments. |
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February 15th, 2024 - Leveraging the Capacity of Peer Providers to Improve Substance Use Services The February 2024 Opioid Settlement Technical Assistance Learning Series focused on the value of peer providers in substance use services. Professional peer providers, direct service providers with lived experience of addiction recovery, are uniquely positioned to address unmet service needs. Because of their lived experience and informal approach, peers can quickly build rapport with people in or seeking recovery and connect them with local resources. Dr. Emily Pasman, a recovery support services researcher, reviewed the benefits of peer engagement, various peer-delivered service models, and characteristics of successful peer recovery support services. Attendees also heard from Rob Kanous, a state-certified peer recovery coach, about practical methods for incorporating peers in existing health and social service settings. (Flier) (PPT) (Recording) |
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March 6th, 2024 - An Anti-Stigma Approach to the Addiction Crisis Stigma is one of the biggest barriers to addiction treatment for people with substance use disorders. In this learning series discussion, we will discuss the role stigma plays and the importance of reducing stigma for better patient outcomes. |
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April 16th, 2024 - MOUD and Harm Reduction This presentation provides a broad overview of two kinds of interventions that science shows can help people who use drugs: medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), such as methadone, and harm reduction, which includes services like needle and syringe programs. We will explain how these interventions work, show evidence of their effectiveness, and address common misconceptions about them. |
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May 15th, 2024 - Field Experience in Increasing MAT Access in the NW Region of Michigan's Lower Peninsula This webinar will focus on regional efforts to expand MOUD/AUD care through Rural Health Clinics in northern lower Michigan. These efforts include standardization of care, staff and community education, and building recovery networks. |
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June 12th, 2024 - Integrating Technology and Treatment for Perinatal Substance Use This presentation will describe the advantages of technology for the prevention and treatment of substance use in the perinatal period, review examples and findings from existing programs, and facilitate discussion of how technology might address other needs in attendees’ communities. |
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July 10th, 2024 - Addressing Negative Health Outcomes from Opioid and Substance Use This webinar will focus on evidence-based overdose prevention strategies including naloxone distribution and syringe service programs. Speakers will provide background information on these harm reduction interventions as well as current challenges the strategies face. |
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