The City of Dearborn has reported a decline in overdose cases, with total overdoses in 2025 down 36% compared to the previous year. Overdose-related deaths also decreased by 38% year over year. City data show this is the second consecutive year of reductions, occurring amid ongoing public health challenges related to substance use.
Since the Dearborn Department of Public Health was established in April 2022, the city has prioritized substance-use response and overdose prevention as key components of its approach. In a statement to the City of Dearborn, Chief Public Health Officer Ali Abazeed said the department focused on expanding access to resources, using data to guide interventions, and providing support without stigma. He noted that the reported progress reflects community involvement and the city’s continued investment in public health efforts.
The Dearborn Department of Public Health has expanded the distribution of Narcan (naloxone), along with fentanyl and xylazine test strips, as part of its overdose prevention efforts. In 2025, the department distributed 324 fentanyl test strip kits, 249 xylazine test strip kits, and more than 7,000 units of Narcan. These resources have been made available at multiple locations, including the John D. Dingell Transit Center and the Islamic Center of Detroit. City data show that over a two-year period, overdose incidents declined by 58%, while overdose-related deaths decreased by 64%.
Data from 2025 show a gender disparity in overdose cases, with about 67% involving men and 33% involving women. The Dearborn Department of Public Health has adjusted outreach and prevention efforts to address these trends. Multilingual resources and partnerships with community organizations are being used to provide education and information on substance use and prevention. According to the City of Dearborn, Police Chief Issa Shahin noted the decline is linked to coordination between public health officials and first responders.
City officials noted that continued progress in reducing overdoses depends on ongoing investment and attention. Information on overdose prevention and access to free Narcan and other harm-reduction supplies is available at Dearborn.gov/PublicHealth.
