Macomb Medical Examiner’s Report Shows Deadly Drug Problem

Macomb County has a drug problem, and it’s increasingly deadly, a new report shows.

Drug-related deaths reached an all-time high in the county in 2013, Dr. Daniel Spitz, Macomb County’s chief medical examiner said Friday, the Detroit Free Press reports. Spitz said drug deaths increased 33 percent to 244 last year. Most were due to prescription drugs, followed by heroin use combined with other drugs.

Drug-related deaths year appear to be on pace to surpass the 2013 total, he warned.  There have been 64 drug-related deaths this year, 28 percent of them heroin related.

Because of spiraling deaths due to illegal drug use, Macomb County generated more tissue and cornea donors than any other Michigan County, he said. Such referrals are made to the Gift of Life Organ and Tissue Procurement Agency/Michigan County.

The full report will be presented to Macomb County commissioners Monday. He said increasing drug use “is an area that needs some attention.”

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• Should Macomb County officials do more to increase awareness of drug abuse, provide treatment alternatives and crack down on offenders?