Opioid​ Overdose Cases Decline Across Dearborn After Public Health Measures

DEARBORN, MI — Opioid overdose cases fell for the second consecutive year across Dearborn.

New local year-over-year data shows overdose deaths fell 38 percent in 2025, along with a 36 percent decline in total overdoses across Dearborn. Data shows that 67 percent of those overdoses were men and 33 percent were woman.

Over a two-year period from 2023 to 2025, Dearborn saw a 58 percent decline in overdose incidents and a 64 percent reduction in overdose deaths.

The Dearborn Department of Public Health (DPH), which launched in April 2022, has made overdose prevention and substance-use response a core priority. They have been focusing on harm reduction, access to lifesaving tools and a coordinated response across city departments and community partners.

"People are alive today because the City of Dearborn decided to show up differently. We put tools into the community, followed the stories and the data, and treated our neighbors with care, not judgment. This progress belongs to the people of Dearborn, and it’s a reminder that when we invest in one another, lives are saved," Dearborn’s Chief Public Health Officer Ali Abazeed said.

The health department implemented key opioid and substance-use interventions across the city in 2022. The efforts include widespread distribution of harm-reduction supplies, such as Narcan (naloxone), Fentanyl test strips and Xylazine (tranq) test strips.

In 2025, the health department distributed 324 Fentanyl test strip kits, 249 Xylazine test strip kits, and more than 7000 units of Narcan through public distribution sites and community events across the city.

The Dearborn Department of Public Health provides free Narcan at the following locations:

• John D. Dingell Transit Center
• East Parking Deck at West Village Drive
• Wagner Parking Deck on Monroe Stret (test strips also available at this location)
• Islamic Center of Detroit

City leaders emphasize that while the sustained decline in overdoses is encouraging, continued investment and vigilance remain critical.

"These reductions reflect strong collaboration between public health and first responders. By focusing on prevention and access to lifesaving resources, we are protecting lives and strengthening our community," Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin said.