Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced more than a million dollars will go to hospitals to help create better systems for treating people with opioid addiction. As we hear from Capital Bureau Chief Rick Pluta, Whitmer says reducing opioid abuse is a top priority of her administration.
Governor Whitmer says opioid addiction is a large and growing problem. She says one reason is people end up at emergency rooms after they overdose.
But she says they are often released without a follow-up plan. Whitmer says that means many of the same people make repeat trips to the hospital foe emergency care without treating their addiction.
”… which is expensive, but most importantly, it’s inhumane not to give people the support that they so desperately need.” Whitmer said.
The first grants will go to hospitals in Detroit and northern Michigan, with more going to other health care centers if the programs are successful.