Muskegon County in Michigan is a Hotbed for Opioid Abuse but Containment Efforts are Already Underway
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By: Jeffrey Maser Nov. 16, 2017
Residents within the state of Michigan accounted for the 7th highest opioid abuse hospitalization rate out of all 50 states from October 2015 - September 2016 with a rate of 0.61%. For background on opioid abuse hospitalization rates and their significance, please click here. Although the state of Michigan did not have an excessively high rate compared to the national average of 0.43%, the state’s Muskegon County was the 8th highest county for opioid abuse hospitalization rate nationwide.
| Rank | State / U.S. Territory | County | Medicare Enrollments (Fee for Service - Original Medicare) | Total Inpatient Medicare Discharges for Opioids Abuse for 2015 Oct - 2016 Sep | Hospitalization Rate for Opioids Abuse for 2015 Oct - 2016 Sep (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KY | Perry | 5921 | 348 | 5.88 |
| 2 | KY | Leslie | 2001 | 80 | 4 |
| 3 | TN | Lewis | 1658 | 58 | 3.5 |
| 4 | TN | Marshall | 4026 | 129 | 3.2 |
| 5 | KY | Knott | 2345 | 70 | 2.99 |
| 6 | MN | Isanti | 2515 | 74 | 2.94 |
| 7 | TN | Wayne | 2373 | 64 | 2.7 |
| 8 | MI | Muskegon | 22003 | 585 | 2.66 |
| 9 | KY | Breathitt | 2681 | 71 | 2.65 |
| 10 | CA | Butte | 47027 | 1202 | 2.56 |
Out of the 22,003 Muskegon County residents enrolled in Medicare, there were 585 opioid abuse discharges between October 2015 - September 2016. This indicates an opioid abuse hospitalization rate of 2.66%, which was 8th highest out of all counties in the United States during this time period. This rate was more than double the rate of the next highest Michigan county, where Oceana County had an opioid abuse hospitalization rate of 1.18%.
| Rank | State / U.S. Territory | County | Medicare Enrollments (Fee for Service - Original Medicare) | Total Inpatient Medicare Discharges for Opioids Abuse for 2015 Oct - 2016 Sep | Hospitalization Rate for Opioids Abuse for 2015 Oct - 2016 Sep (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MI | Muskegon | 22003 | 585 | 2.66 |
| 2 | MI | Oceana | 4154 | 49 | 1.18 |
| 3 | MI | Newaygo | 5248 | 58 | 1.11 |
| 4 | MI | Macomb | 104519 | 1104 | 1.06 |
| 5 | MI | Luce | 1061 | <11 | <11 |
| 6 | MI | Wayne | 195055 | 1827 | 0.94 |
| 7 | MI | Mason | 5664 | 48 | 0.85 |
| 8 | MI | St. Clair | 24222 | 177 | 0.73 |
| 9 | MI | Ottawa | 19804 | 131 | 0.66 |
| 10 | MI | Monroe | 20036 | 122 | 0.61 |
We reached out to Jon LaMaire of the Grand Rapids Red Project, which was started in 1998. Jon has been working as a harm-reduction programming coordinator and overdose outreach worker at the Red Project for the past four years. He performs internal functions along with going out into the field and providing the community with essential education and access to key prevention methods and treatments.
Jon explained that when the Red Project was looking to expand from Grand Rapids, the organization found that “Muskegon County had a disproportionately high number of overdoses compared to other counties around us… because of [this], we approached the health department here and we got funding to start an overdose prevention program in Muskegon,” which LaMaire then spearheaded. Therefore it was not a shock to Jon that the opioid abuse hospitalization rate in Muskegon County was the highest in the state. Jon mentioned, however, that he was a bit surprised that Muskegon County ranked 8th highest nationwide.
Jon remarked that “Muskegon County has the city of Muskegon and attached is Muskegon Heights, which is really why there is a much, much higher rate of substance abuse and overwhelmingly so.” He goes on to state that there is a “very high level of poverty in Muskegon Heights and if you look at places anywhere, poverty and substance abuse go hand in hand.” By “lacking financially for any kind of infrastructure,” it is difficult for Muskegon County residents to combat this epidemic without financial and educational assistance.
This is why, on a daily basis, Jon exits his comfortable, quiet office in Grand Rapids and ventures into the city to provide necessary assistance for those struggling with opioid abuse. Jon and his team members provide naloxone, which quickly reverses the effects of opioid overdose, to community members in need. Jon’s team also holds office hours throughout the week where those within the local community can go and ask key questions about how they can do their part to combat opioid abuse. Furthermore, the Red Project assists other community organizations as well that aim to address health issues in the community. Jon noted that “we have helped different communities start advocacy programs within Michigan so that issues can be dealt with on a local level.”
Sometimes, the people who require the most assistance do not get the help they need or feel unable to reach out. “The problem we are dealing with is a community problem and it must be faced as a community,” says LaMaire. By acquiring a naloxone kit for potential personal use or for a friend or relative before such a resource is needed, we can do our part in preparing for emergency circumstances. In areas like Muskegon County, where opioid usage is noticeably high, education and access to treatments are even more essential.
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