Opioid Crisis Leads to Increase in Organ Donations

Organ recovery center says donations are 26% higher over three years

A tragic epidemic is apparently having some positive effects. Organ recovery centers say the opioid crisis is contributing to an increase in organ donations. The CEO of Gift of Life Michigan, Dorrie Dils, says last year 50 donors died of drug overdoses compared to 20 in 2014. 

“That year over year is a 55% increase.”   – Dorrie Dils, Gift of Life Michigan

Dils says sometimes something good can come from an overdose that is often heartbreaking for family and loved ones.

“In some cases, in spite of chronic drug use, they do have some organs that are still transplantable” 

According to Dils Gift of Life has seen a 26% increase in organ donations since 2014.

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  • Amy Miller
    Amy has been working in public and commercial radio for the last 30 yrs. She is an award winning reporter and news anchor, born and raised in Detroit.