Overdose deaths continue decreasing in Washtenaw County
Opioid- and Non-Opioid Related Overdose Deaths Washtenaw County Residents, 2016-2025. From Washtenaw County Health Department July 2026 Opioid Report.
submitted by Washtenaw County Health Department
The Washtenaw County Health Department has released a new Opioid Report detailing recent local drug overdose data trends. All overdose deaths decreased by nearly 15% from 2024 to 2025.
“Our analysis shows that local opioid-related overdoses reached a ten-year low in 2025,” says Patty Krause, MPH, community health analyst with the Washtenaw County Health Department. “These deaths have been consistently trending down since 2022, which is incredibly encouraging.”
“Every year, it becomes clearer that increasing access to harm reduction tools, treatment, and recovery support saves lives,” says Jimena Loveluck, MSW, health officer with the Washtenaw County Health Department. “We are continuing to build on this progress through investments from our local opioid settlement funding.”
In 2025, fifty-eight Washtenaw County residents died from an overdose (down from sixty-eight in 2024). Twenty-five died from a non-opioid related overdose and thirty-three died from an opioid-related overdose.
Most people who died of an opioid-related overdose were white (76%), male (76%), and 25 to 54 years old (64%). This is consistent with previous years.
Fentanyl and/or fentanyl analogs were involved in 79% of opioid-related overdose deaths among Washtenaw County residents in 2025. 70% of opioid-related overdose deaths involved other substances in 2025.
“We are grateful that our local overdose deaths are still trending down, but a single overdose is one too many,” says Krause. “Anyone who uses drugs and their family, friends, and acquaintances should know how to use harm reduction tools like naloxone, which is widely available for free throughout our community. Recovery is possible and support is available.”
Additional data is available in the full July 2026 Opioid Report. Visit washtenaw.org/opioids for additional opioid reports and data.
The Health Department is leading Washtenaw County’s planning to leverage local opioid settlement funds. The County will receive more than $18 million over eighteen years to mitigate harms from the ongoing opioid epidemic.
In October 2025, funding was awarded to several community organizations through September 2028. Funded projects focus on harm reduction, recovery, treatment, prevention, and supporting coordination to best serve community members. The Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee meets regularly to provide ongoing oversight, ensure transparency, and monitor use of these funds. These meetings are open to the public.
Anyone who uses drugs should follow these safety tips whenever possible to prevent an overdose:
- Test drugs using fentanyl and xylazine test strips
- Avoid using alone and take turns when using with others
- Take care if you have not used in a while
- Avoid mixing drugs, including alcohol
- Have naloxone ready and know how to use it
Naloxone (also known as Narcan) is a safe medication that counteracts an opioid overdose. There are several ways to get free naloxone in Washtenaw County. This page also includes information about how to pick up or request free drug checking test strips. Test strips are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl or xylazine in all different kinds of drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, etc.) and drug forms (pills, powder, and injectables).
Recovery is possible. Anyone in Washtenaw County can call 734-544-3050 or text 988 for support. Find local stories of recovery, medication disposal sites, and harm reduction and treatment resources at www.washtenaw.org/ItIsPossible. Local schools, businesses, health care centers, faith-based groups, and organizations are encouraged to order free campaign materials to help share information about harm reduction and recovery resources.
Washtenaw County Health Department The Washtenaw County Health Department promotes health and works to prevent disease and injury in our community. Our mission is to assure, in partnership with the community, the conditions necessary for people to live healthy lives through prevention and protection programs. Local public health information and updates are always available at www.washtenaw.org/health. The Health Department also provides frequent social media updates (@wcpublichealth) and sends weekly email newsletters, sign up at http://bit.ly/WCHD555.
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