Latest news with #DrNatashaBagdasarian
CBS News
04-07-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Deadly opioid carfentanil reemerges in Michigan, linked to 11 deaths in 2025
Michigan health officials say the state is seeing a reemergence of the potentially deadly opioid carfentanil. Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid, typically used by veterinarians to tranquilize large animals, like elephants, and is not approved for use in humans. State health officials say that so far this year, 11 deaths involving carfentanil have been identified. None of those individuals tested positive for carfentanil alone. Ten of those who died also tested for cocaine, and fentanyl was found in eight of those deaths. The deaths occurred in Ingham, Livingston, Eaton, Genesee, Oakland and Wayne counties. The synthetic drug is a small, white, powdery substance that looks like cocaine or heroin, but officials with the Drug Enforcement Administration say that using even a small amount could kill. "Imagine like a speck of baby powder; that's how much could be a lethal dosage of carfentanil," said Brian McNeal, public information officer with the DEA's Detroit division. "It is a Schedule II drug, meaning it does have medical use, but it is not approved for human use, and it has found its way into the illicit drug supply." Carfentanil is 100 times more potent than fentanyl and about 10,000 times more potent than morphine, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. "Carfentanil is an extremely potent and deadly drug," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan. "We're urging people who use unregulated drugs – and their loved ones – to carry naloxone, an easy to administer nasal spray that can reverse opioid overdoses and save lives. Awareness and quick action can help save lives." The DEA says some users mix carfentanil with other drugs like OxyContin or Xanax. "Whether it's heroin, marijuana, or cocaine, it follows the same routes up from our southwest border into distribution hub, like any other business, and then into smaller communities and neighborhood, but the precursor chemicals mainly come from Asia, from China, India into Mexico, where drug cartels are putting these chemicals into the illicit drug supply," McNeal said. Carfentanil was previously seen in the state in 2016 and 2017, with the drug contributing to 107 deaths in 2016 and 111 deaths in 2017. Deaths associated with the drug fell in recent years, dropping to a handful a year in 2018, 2019 and 2020, and then to zero in 2021 and 2022. Health officials say the drug can rapidly cause central nervous system depression, which can lead to quick death, and that because an increasing number of overdose deaths associated with carfentanil also include cocaine, methamphetamine and other stimulants, users may not know those drugs contain carfentanil. Treating a carfentanil overdose can also be extremely difficult, and officials say reversing an overdose may require several doses of naloxone.
CBS News
07-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Blood testing requirement begins for lead levels among Michigan's youngest children
Blood lead level testing is now required for Michigan's youngest children in an effort to prevent and mitigate the health risks of lead poisoning. The laws were signed into effect in October 2023 and have taken effect with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services having signed off on the followup administrative rules. All Michigan children will need to be tested for blood lead levels at ages 12 months and 24 months, with the testing dates noted on their immunization records, according to the state health department. The child's physician would do the test or order one. There might be other testing dates recommended depending on the circumstances. If there is no record of the two-test series, children must be tested at least once between age 2 years and 6 years. Families can opt out of this "universal blood testing" requirement, state officials said. Lead exposure can come from numerous sources, including paint in homes that were built before 1978, or drinking water that uses older lead-based plumbing. There also are some jobs and hobbies where lead exposure might happen. Exposure among young children to lead can result in problems with learning, behavior, speech, hearing and other issues, the state health department said. "By ensuring Michigan children universally receive a blood lead test at a very young age, we can more quickly address the health risks associated with elevated blood lead levels, which will lead to healthier lives," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state's chief medical executive. "Families can also be alerted to the need to identify and address any hazards in their home that could be causing elevated levels, such as paint, plumbing or soil."
