Medical cases involving the use of heroin are on the rise in Lansing. Current State talks with police chief Mike Yankowski about efforts to deal with the increasing usage of heroin use in the city.
Lansing Police Chief Mike Yankowski says the city of Lansing is contending with a heroin “epidemic.” Yankowski says that so far in 2015, seven residents have died after taking heroin, compared to three all last year and only one in 2013. Non-fatal overdoses have spiked as well, to 49 this year, more than double the previous year.
State health data confirm Lansing is not alone. Earlier this summer, Lt. Governor Brian Calley, who chairs a new panel looking into the issue, pointed out that addiction to opioids and prescription drugs has led to a quadrupling of unintentional drug deaths in Michigan since 1999.
What’s behind this disturbing trend? How are officials dealing with it? And what else can be done about it?
Current State talks with Chief Yankowski about heroin and other issues facing Lansing police.