Michigan lawmakers are pressing for greater coordination in the fight against opioid addiction as overdose deaths continue to decline statewide. Despite the progress, concerns grow over how local governments are spending millions of dollars from opioid settlement agreements.

Opioid Settlement Funds

Members of the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee on Medicaid and Behavioral Health questioned state officials about the pace of spending and whether state and local programs funded through opioid settlements are duplicating efforts. State officials told lawmakers that Michigan counties, cities, and townships had received approximately $214 million in settlement funding as of mid-December. However, lawmakers noted that local governments have spent only about 18% of those funds.

State Rep. Greg VanWoerkom, R-Norton Shores, questioned whether taxpayers are receiving the full benefit of the funding if state and local initiatives overlap. "If a county already has a robust program, and then you’re coming over top of it — if there’s no coordination there, are those dollars then well spent?" VanWoerkom asked during the committee hearing.

Decline in Opioid-Related Deaths

Despite concerns about spending and coordination, state officials highlighted continued progress in reducing opioid-related deaths. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the state is projected to record fewer than 1,800 opioid overdose deaths in 2025. By comparison, Michigan recorded 3,096 overdose deaths in 2021, with opioids responsible for the majority of fatalities.

MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said the decline reflects years of prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts. "The decline in overdose deaths represents real progress and reflects the impact of sustained, data-driven investments of opioid settlement dollars across Michigan," Hertel said in a statement released Tuesday.

Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.