Opioid use has become one of the biggest health challenges in the United States, and Michigan is no exception. Families in cities, small towns, and rural communities have all felt the impact.
The crisis touches people of every age, background, and income level. It brings loss, fear, and uncertainty. But it has also brought people together, reminding us how strong our community can be when we face a problem side by side.
So where does Kalamazoo County stand today? And how does our situation compare to the rest of Michigan?
As the Michigan opioid crisis continues, counties like Kalamazoo are working hard to reduce overdoses, expand treatment, and support people who are struggling. Here’s a simple, clear look at how we’re doing and what still needs care.
Michigan’s Bigger Picture
Michigan has been battling opioid misuse for many years. At one point, the state had some of the highest opioid-prescribing rates in the country. While progress has been made, the crisis is far from over.
Overdose deaths in Michigan reached their highest level in 2021. In the last few years, those numbers have gone down slightly, a hopeful sign, but only a small one. Powerful synthetic drugs, especially fentanyl, continue to make overdoses more dangerous and harder to prevent.
The crisis has also affected some communities more than others. Data shows higher overdose rates in groups facing long-standing health, economic, and social challenges. That reality makes it even more important for Michigan to focus on fair, accessible care for everyone.
Zooming In: What’s Happening in Kalamazoo County
Kalamazoo County and nearby areas, such as Portage, Oshtemo, Galesburg, and Comstock, have seen many of the same trends as the rest of the state. But our data highlights unique changes and challenges in our community.
Prescription Trends
Opioid prescriptions peaked in Kalamazoo County around 2011. By 2017, stricter laws and better awareness led to fewer new prescriptions. Even so, the amount prescribed in 2017 was more than three times the national average back in 1999 showing how steep the climb had been.
Emergency Visits & Overdoses
Between 2015 and 2017, emergency room visits for opioid-related issues jumped by over 55%, meaning more people were showing up in crisis.
In 2017, Kalamazoo County recorded 16.7 opioid-related deaths per 100,000 people, slightly lower than the statewide average at the time. Still, most drug-related deaths locally involved opioids.
The Rise of Fentanyl
One of the most alarming trends in Kalamazoo and surrounding areas has been the rapid rise of fentanyl-related deaths. Cases increased from 6 deaths in 2015 to 35 deaths in 2017, with most of those losses being local residents. This shift shows how quickly fentanyl replaced prescription opioids as the main driver of danger.
Where Kalamazoo Stands Today
The Michigan opioid crisis continues to affect families throughout the state, and Kalamazoo County is no exception.
Recent data shows accidental drug-related deaths in Kalamazoo County rose nearly 39% from 2022 to 2023. Surrounding counties have seen similar increases, reinforcing that this is a regional issue that demands a collective response.
Michigan also ranks counties by substance-use vulnerability. Kalamazoo County sits at 50 out of 83, not the highest risk, but far from low-risk.
The picture is mixed: we’ve made progress, but the danger remains real as fentanyl and other synthetic drugs spread across Southwest Michigan.
What Kalamazoo County Is Doing Well
Even with the challenges, Kalamazoo County and nearby communities have taken real steps forward. Many local groups, including hospitals, EMS teams, mental health providers, nonprofits, schools, and public health agencies, are working together to protect our neighbors and offer support.
Here’s what that progress looks like:
• Prescription rates are decreasing.
Better training, stricter guidelines, and stronger oversight have helped reduce the number of new opioid prescriptions. This lowers long-term dependence and keeps unused medications out of homes where they may be misused.
• EMS teams, hospitals, and examiners monitor overdoses in real time.
Fast data sharing helps officials spot trends as they happen, respond to overdose spikes, and send resources to the neighborhoods that need them most.
• Public health teams are educating families and supporting recovery.
Schools, nonprofits, and outreach programs offer workshops, distribute naloxone, and teach families how to recognize early signs of opioid misuse.
• Mental health and addiction care providers are expanding support.
Access to treatment is critical. Kalamazoo TMS & Behavioral Health Center continues to play its part by caring for individuals facing depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental-health challenges that often overlap with substance use. Their services help reduce the root-cause risks tied to opioid misuse and support long-term recovery for people across Kalamazoo County and nearby areas.
Challenges That Still Need Care
While progress is real, there are still obstacles ahead:
- Fentanyl remains the biggest danger, causing fast, unpredictable overdoses.
- Overdose deaths are rising again, even with fewer prescriptions being written.
- Some people face higher risk due to financial stress, long-standing health gaps, or limited access to treatment.
- Nearby counties face similar pressures, which increases demand for services across Southwest Michigan.
These challenges show the crisis is shifting.
What Needs to Happen Next
To make meaningful progress against the Michigan opioid crisis, Kalamazoo County and surrounding areas need to build on the work already happening. That means focusing on care, education, access, and strong partnerships.
• Improve access to mental health and addiction treatment.
People need help quickly, without long waits or barriers. More treatment options can stop crises before they develop.
• Expand harm-reduction tools like naloxone.
Naloxone saves lives. Wider distribution through schools, clinics, first responders, and community centers can significantly reduce fatal overdoses.
• Strengthen early education for families.
Teaching teens and parents about fentanyl, overdose risks, and early warning signs can prevent harm long before it begins.
• Build stronger community partnerships to stay ahead of the Michigan opioid crisis.
Healthcare providers, schools, nonprofits, law enforcement, and public health teams must continue sharing information and supporting each other. Collaboration saves lives.
• Continue real-time data tracking to better understand the Michigan opioid crisis locally.
Tracking where and when overdoses happen helps leaders respond faster and protect vulnerable groups.
• Encourage people to seek timely help.
Everyone has a role to play. Reaching out early for substance use, mental-health concerns, or overwhelming stress can prevent harm and save lives. Support within families and friendships matters more than most people realize.
How Local Residents Can Help
Every person in Kalamazoo County has the power to make a positive impact in the fight against the Michigan opioid crisis. Small, everyday actions can help protect loved ones and strengthen our community.
• Learn the signs of opioid misuse.
Paying attention to changes in behavior or missing medications helps you catch problems early.
• Talk openly with your family about substance safety.
Calm, honest conversations help younger family members stay informed and make safer choices.
• Support loved ones seeking treatment.
Recovery can be lonely. A little encouragement, i.e., a ride, a check-in, or emotional support can mean everything.
• Carry naloxone if there’s any risk in your circle.
Naloxone can reverse an overdose within minutes and save a life in emergencies linked to the Michigan opioid crisis.
• Stay informed through Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services.
Local updates help you understand what’s happening and how to respond.
Small steps, taken together, create safer neighborhoods and stronger families.
Closing: A Community That Cares
The opioid crisis is difficult, but Kalamazoo County and its surrounding areas have shown incredible strength and compassion. The data reminds us that the danger is still real, but also that change is possible.
By standing together with local families, schools, healthcare providers, and community leaders, we can protect our neighbors, support healing, and save lives.
And through services like TMS therapy, Spravato (esketamine), ketamine infusions, and comprehensive psychiatric care, Kalamazoo TMS & Behavioral Health Center continues to fill critical gaps in mental-health support. These services help reduce the factors that often lead to substance misuse and support long-term recovery across Southwest Michigan.
With stronger partnerships, better access to care, and a united community, Michigan can continue making real progress in overcoming the Michigan opioid crisis.
