Detroit, MI
Detroit Opioid Quick Response Team on the call to help those struggling with drug addiction
Team helping Metro Detroit residents struggling with drug addiction
Members of the Detroit Opioid Quick Response Team check in on Carol Bowie, one of the patients they’ve been working with who says she’s been struggling to kick heroin, something used to treat her pain.
430 people in Detroit died from opioid overdoses in 2023, and the Detroit Opioid Quick Response Team has been working hard to reduce the statistics. They’ve only been up and running for about three months now.
On Thursday, members went around making some house calls, checking in on the patients they’ve been working with, including a woman named Carol Bowie, who says she’s been struggling to kick heroin, which she uses to help treat her pain.
“I have a heart condition and kidney failure, but they have come over regularly and checked on me and try to, you know, help me not use anymore, and that’s my main goal,” Bowie said.
It’s been a little over three months since the Quick Response Team got up and running, putting boots on the ground to help those harmed by the scourge of addiction.
Now they’re talking about the gains they’ve made in the name of saving lives.
“Well, it’s really busy. We’re obviously touching a very vulnerable population,” said Executive Director Linda Davis. “We’ve made over 800 calls during that period of time.”
They have connected nearly 50 people to help with the number of resources available.
“Either getting them to an in-patient treatment, outpatient treatment, connecting them with a peer recovery coach that’s able to help them navigate recovery within their community, so there’s multiple parts to that,” said Davis.
The team took FOX 2 behind the scenes, showing us how they approach their daily work.
“Our day looks like going to visit our high priorities first – people who came in with an OD, within the last two days,” said Thomas Hunter with the Detroit Opioid Quick Response Team. “And we’ll follow up to see if we can offer them services.”
EMTs say the rapid response operation has been a big help to them given the limited resources they can offer when it comes to major addiction struggles and the frustration of seeing the same patients over and over again on overdose calls.
“We had identified a clear gap, particularly in patients that had an overdose, interacted with EMS and then refused to seek any further care,” said Detroit Medical Director Robert Dunne. “They wouldn’t go to the hospital, and we didn’t really have any other options for those patients, so that was one of the first things that we identified and what we’re doing now is getting this quick response team in front of those patients so they can get cared for.”
It’s that first connection that can lead to long-term change.
“A conversation is the beginning of recovery,” said Davis. “If you can have a positive conversation with someone, they’re willing to listen, that can be the first step to recovery.”
For Carol, she’s well on her way to the right support.
“They help me to get to my doctors on my phone because I didn’t know how to do that,” Bowie said. “They come and check on me all the time, mostly.”
Those on the team say so far, they’ve connected around 50 people with resources to help with their addictions. They prioritize those who have had recent overdoses.
The Pistons have made recent moves to add more shooting, but still don’t have anyone quite as lethal as former Detroit guard Luke Kennard. On Saturday night, Kennard had a brilliant start to his postseason with 27 uber-efficient points for the Lakers in a win against the Rockets. His level of 3-point accuracy is something the Pistons have desperately been seeking all season long to bolster their offense.
Luke Kennard’s shooting makes him a dangerous playoff performer
Kennard was originally drafted to Detroit with the 17th pick of the 2017 Draft. The Pistons have plenty of draft regrets from that general era of team history, but picking Kennard has never been one of them. Despite any other weaknesses he may have, his strength as a shooter has always been enough to offset them.
In terms of pure 3-point percentage, Kennard is one of the best shooters in NBA history. He averages 44% behind the arc for his career, and shot a blistering 48% this season – the best mark in the league. Given his incredible track record, it’s not exactly a shocker to see him shoot 5-of-5 from three en route to 27 points in Game 1.
Not only is Kennard obviously an excellent standstill shooter, but he’s also a master of getting himself open with his movement. On Saturday night, he was able to play off LeBron James perfectly for a few easy looks. After that, he caught enough of a rhythm to create 3-point looks for himself, even in transition.
A player like Kennard is easily capable of turning an entire playoff game when he gets hot. In a close series, that one game where Kennard hits several threes can be all the difference his team needs to advance. If the Lakers do manage to win this series, even without Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves, Kennard’s shooting will be a major reason why.
The Pistons could use someone like Kennard
Kennard would be a perfect marginal addition for the Pistons that only makes them better without taking anything away from the team. To be fair, the Pistons do have two shooters who have been hot recently in Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter. But having more than one respected shooter on the court at a time is often necessary to maintain a solid offense in today’s NBA.
Given the Pistons’ current lack of shooting, any additional shooters are welcome. And Kennard is understandably one of the most feared shooters in the league, capable of bending defenses just by the threat of him taking a three. Rolling him out on the Pistons would surely open up more lanes for Detroit’s stars to attack the paint and score easier points.
Follow
A Detroit woman was arrested in the aftermath of a hit-and-run collision and shooting on Interstate 94, Michigan State Police reported.
Emergency dispatchers were called shortly after midnight Saturday about the altercation. Troopers reported the caller said while they were driving eastbound on I-94, near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, a black Jeep sideswiped them and sped off.
The caller then decided to follow the Jeep.
In response, police said, the driver of the Jeep fired several gunshots in the caller’s direction.
None of the gunshots struck the vehicle.
Troopers were able to use license plate reader camera technology to locate the Jeep while it was on the Lodge Freeway, made a traffic stop. The driver and two passengers were taken into custody without incident.
The passengers were released shortly afterwards; troopers believe that the 19-year-old driver was the shooter. She has been lodged pending further review by the prosecutor’s office.
In addition, a firearm was recovered from the vehicle.
The above video originally aired on Aug. 19, 2025.
NBA playoffs best matchups
Breaking down the best first-round NBA playoff matchups.
Who is favored in the NBA playoffs odds for Game 1 between the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic?
Here’s what you need to know about NBA playoff betting odds for the NBA game between the No. 8 seed Magic and No. 1 seed Pistons, which is being played on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
What is the point spread for the Pistons vs Magic game?
What is the moneyline for the Magic vs Pistons game?
What is the over/under (point total) for betting on the first-round NBA playoff matchup?
NBA playoffs odds: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | NBA championship odds | Game odds
Watch Magic at Pistons on Peacock
Magic vs Pistons odds: What is point spread?
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Detroit Pistons are an 8.5-point favorite over the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of their NBA Playoffs series.
NBA playoffs Game 1 predictions, picks: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | The Republic’s score projections
Pistons vs Magic odds: What is moneyline?
BetMGM Sportsbook lists Detroit as -375 on the moneyline for the first-round NBA playoff game. It has Orlando at +290.
NBA playoffs series schedules, TV channels: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | Daily schedule | First-round matchups
Magic vs Pistons odds: What is over/under?
The point total for the opening game of the NBA playoffs series between the Pistons and Magic is listed at 218.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.
NBA playoffs series picks, predictions: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | The Republic’s predictions | NBA playoff bracket
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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