Fentanyl – Xylazine Cause 5 OD’s, 4 Michiganders Dead, in 3 Days

Five overdoses in three days. A fifty hour period between March 1 and 3, 2025. According to the Ingham County Health Department, four incidents were fatal. To say that there has been a spike in drug ODs in Ingham County would be an understatement. WLNS reports that ground zero for these deaths are Northeast Lansing and Lansing Township.

RELATED: DRUG BUST: Enough Fentanyl To Kill 200,000 Off Michigan Streets

The last time we saw numbers like this was 2023, when, according to Ingham County Health Department data, there were over 930 overdoses.

What's Causing These Overdoses?

The likely culprits are fentanyl and xylazine. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) calls fentanyl "a potent synthetic drug... used as an analgesic (pain relief) and anesthetic." It is 100 times more powerful than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Any more than 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal, and 42% of street pills tested contained at least that much.

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Xylazine isn't and has never been meant for human consumption. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says that xylazine, also known as "tranq," is a veterinary tranquilizer that is now being used as an ingredient to create illegal street drugs like fentanyl. It lowers your heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels while slowing your breath.

The Bottom Line for Mid-Michigan

While drugs and the related overdoses and deaths won't disappear overnight, losing four lives in just 50 hours is a tragedy that needs to be addressed. There are resources available in Ingham County and Mid-Michigan, according to WSYM:

• Punks with Lunch - Provides test strips to users so they can test their drugs; contact them at PunksWithLunchLansing@gmail.com
• Brotherhood Against Drugs - This organization offers education and rehab resources. It's run by Erving "Magic" Johnson's brother, Larry, a recovering addict who now helps others overcome their dependency on illegal substances.
• Rise From Your Graves - A harm reduction group meeting at 1300 Eureka Street in Lansing every Sunday at 6:30 pm
• Narcan Vending Machines - Ingham County has over 20 locations offering free Narcan

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there's hope and help. Please use these resources before it's too late.