Since we know that prescription opioids are highly addictive even when prescribed and used properly, it is important to limit the number of prescriptions to reduce the opportunities for people to become addicted. Therefore we track the number of opioid prescriptions dispensed in the county.

In 2016, the CDC published revised recommendations for prescribing opioids, which has led to a decrease in the number of prescriptions dispensed in Macomb County.

And yet, Macomb County residents are prescribed at higher rates than most counties. This is partly due to several characterisitics of Macomb County that have been linked with higher rates of opioid prescriptions including a high percentage of White residents, a high number of physicians and dentists per capita, and a large number of residents who have diabetes, arthritis, and/or a disability.