The increase in drug overdose deaths is resulting in more organ donations in Michigan. This means fewer people will be waiting for organs on the transplant list.
Almost 16% of the 320 donors whose organs were donated last year died from drug overdose.
Members of the medical community believe these deaths are related to an overdose on heroin or other opioids.
There is an estimation of 20-30% increase in the number of liver transplants performed in the state. The number of organ donors nationwide topped 10,000 for the first time.
Of the 63,632 drug overdose deaths across the nation, 42,249 involved an opioid, according to the the Centers for Disease Control.
The organs from overdose donors are tested for infectious diseases, including HIV and hepatitis.
