UM Health-Sparrow Forensic Pathology Services reports decrease in drug-related deaths

University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Forensic Pathology Services has released its annual report on drug-related deaths in the seven counties in which UM Health-Sparrow serves as medical examiner, including Ionia County. The report, which provides detail on each drug death and the type of drug involved, shows that local counties saw a significant decline in overall drug-related deaths in 2024, and the lowest number of deaths since UM Health-Sparrow began reporting the data in 2016. While the decrease in Ingham County is especially significant, every county saw a reduction last year. Despite the overall decline, opioids — particularly fentanyl — remain the leading drivers of drug-related deaths in Mid-Michigan.