Opioids and substance use resources
Overview
Opioids have been plaguing our city for more than a decade. The drugs affect the user, their family, their friends and the community.
You can find support, resources and more information about opioids:
![A syringe and opioid drugs. A syringe and opioid drugs.](/media/content-assets/images/stock-photos/opioid-name-list-and-syringe.jpg)
Statistics
Opioid use on the rise
- The opioid epidemic began in the 1990s with the overprescribing of prescriptions to treat pain. This led to the abuse of opioids and the growing number of fatal and non-fatal overdoses we see today.
- Four Minnesotans die each day from drug overdoses.
- Minneapolis opioid deaths from 2021 to 2022 increased by 24%.
Read about fentanyl from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Read about Minnesota's opioid epidemic from the Minnesota Department of Health
Overdoses
Fatal opioid overdoses by year |
---|
Year | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minnesota | 422 | 343 | 427 | 678 | 924 | 1,002 |
Minneapolis | 83 | 74 | 86 | 146 | 197 | 231 |
- In 2022, Minneapolis had 24 percent of the opioid deaths in the state
- Minneapolis makes up 8 percent of the state's population.
- Fentanyl is the most common opioid being abused in our City. It’s a synthetic opioid approved for treating pain. It can be:
- Up to 50 times stronger than heroin
- 100 times stronger than morphine
- Illegally made fentanyl is linked to the increase in fatal and non-fatal overdoses.
- Three grains of salt are about how much fentanyl it takes to kill a person.
Recovery programs and education
Treatment programs
The following is a directory of treatment programs for substance use disorder.
Education
Understanding the dangers of opioids gives insight into helping your loved one.
Harm reduction
Harm reduction is the practice of creating safe places for people with addiction use.
Other resources
Culturally specific counseling
Information on culturally-specific programs
Legal support
Find legal help for those dealing with drug-related criminal cases.
Mental health resources
We have a list of mental health support resources.
Chemical use assessment
Rule 25 is a type of alcohol and drug assessment in Minnesota.
The purpose of the rule is to:
- Assess a person's substance use
- Determine if a person can be diagnosed with a substance use disorder
Substance use disorder is the medical term for alcoholism or drug addiction.
Get an assessment
Professional needle disposal kits
We also created a professional safe needle pick-up kit.
The pilot program offers a very limited number of free kits to residents.
Five fire stations around the city will each carry five kits that will be handed out on a first come, first serve basis.
Minneapolis fire station locations:
- Fire Station 2 – 143 13th Ave NE
- Fire Station 6 – 121 E 15th St
- Fire Station 7 – 2000 E Franklin Ave
- Fire Station 14 – 2002 Lowry Ave
- Fire Station 17 – 330 E 38th St
Drop boxes
Syringe drop boxes are an effective way to decrease syringe litter. You can find drop boxes in neighborhoods around the city.
Picking up needles without proper training could be dangerous. If you come across syringes in your community or you need information on drop box locations, contact 311
Safe syringe and Narcan services
Services provided
Safe syringe services provided by public health organizations include:
- HIV and hepatitis C prevention and testing
- Naloxone kits and training
- Sterile syringes at no cost
- Referrals for substance abuse treatment and recovery support
Syringe exchange and free Narcan
These organizations provide syringe services to area residents:
Good Samaritan law
"Steve's Law" is Minnesota’s Good Samaritan and naloxone law. This law is named after Steve Rummler, who passed from an opioid overdose in 2011.
Purpose
Steve’s Law provides limited protection from criminal prosecution. The law encourages those who witness overdoses to seek help.
Surviving an opioid overdose depends on how quickly the person overdosing receives medical help. This includes the life-saving medication naloxone.
In situations involving substance use, the fear of being arrested can prevent people from seeking or giving help.
Resources
We’ve produced posters and flyers with information on Steve's Law to provide resources to community members.
Request accessible format
If you need help with this information, please email 311, or call 311 or 612-673-3000.
Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
Contact us
Minneapolis Health Department
Phone
Address
Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 520
Minneapolis, MN 55415