LANSING - Opioid addiction has been a trend in the recent months. MSU's Institute of Public Policy and Social Research recognized the demand.

"A Fight for Life- Opioid Addiction" was held March 15th in the Anderson House Mackinaw Room.

Several speakers were present to share knowledge of opioid addiction from different perspectives.

"Nearly half of all opioid overdose deaths involve prescription opioids," Osteopathic Physician David Neff said. The most common opioids taken were methadone, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.

In 2015, a shift began and heroin became the greatest national threat while the prescription drug threat diminished.

Michigan parent Mike Hurst knew about this shift all too well.

Hurst's son passed away from heroin overdose. He realized this is not an isolated problem.

"This is not a black problem. This is not a white problem. This is not a Muslim problem. This is an American problem," Hurst said.

"As long as we have the demand for this drug, we are going to have this problem," Michigan State Police Detective Lt. Lisa Gee-Cram said.

To combat the heroin problem in Michigan, the Michigan State Police Department has a drug take back program in place.