September 01, 2026
WHEREAS, the overuse and misuse of prescription opioid painkillers leading to addiction and catastrophic outcomes has become a statewide and national crisis; and,
WHEREAS, drug overdose is a leading cause of accidental death in the United States, with provisional data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimating 69,973 drug overdose deaths in the United States during 2025; and,
WHEREAS, opioids were involved in 81,607 overdose deaths in 2022 (78.8% of all national drug overdose deaths), and approximately 64% of all drug overdose deaths in 2025, according to provisional data released by the federal government; and,
WHEREAS, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, overdoses have killed more than 1.25 million people since 1999; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan was hit particularly hard by this crisis, with opioid overdoses killing about 3,100 residents in 2021 – roughly eight per day; by 2025, preliminary data projects that Michigan’s overdose death rate has declined by 47% since then, though the crisis still claims approximately four lives daily in Michigan; and,
WHEREAS, in 2024, Michigan health care providers wrote 46.5 opioid prescriptions for every 100 Michiganders, compared to the national average of 35.4 opioid prescriptions for every 100 Americans, according to the CDC; and,
WHEREAS, prescription opioids are often recommended for the management of low back, neck, and musculoskeletal pain, and more than 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, with an estimated 80 percent of all Americans experiencing some form of back pain during their lifetime; and,
WHEREAS, my administration and the Michigan Legislature have made it a high priority to combat this health care crisis and save lives by addressing prescription drug misuse and opioid use disorder; and,
WHEREAS, recognizing the diverse needs of people across our state, Michiganders have access to numerous avenues for effective pain management beyond traditional prescription drugs, including safe and effective chiropractic care and other forms of conservative therapies, ensuring that Michiganders can explore a range of comprehensive and holistic approaches to alleviate pain and enhance their overall well-being; and,
WHEREAS, chiropractic and other conservative, drug-free forms of health care play an important role in helping to ease the immense burden of pain management facing our state;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim September 2026 as Drug-Free Pain Management Awareness Month in Michigan.
