Opioid crisis

Hennepin County's approach recognizes that the opioid epidemic is complex and requires a multi-faceted health and safety response. 

Our response

To date, the following work has been accomplished:

Prevention

• Developed an opioid data collection and sharing tool
• Supported and obligated providers to use best practice prescribing guidelines
• Promoted safe storage and environmentally-sound disposal

Response

• Ensured all first responders, necessary county employees and targeted stakeholders have access to and training to administer naloxone
• Coordinated two county operated safe syringe services and naloxone distribution

Treatment and recovery

• Implemented substance use disorder (SUD) reform in Hennepin County
• Sought new state and federal opioid grant opportunities
• Ensured contracts have medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) accommodations
• Increased treatment options (MOUD) and transition planning in correctional settings and throughout county clinical settings

Eliminating disparities

• Increased external and internal substance use disorder (SUD) data infrastructure
• Launched multi-year contracts with community organizations who provide culturally relevant response and prevention services to American Indian, African American, unsheltered homeless, and Somali/East African communities

Learn more about the strategic framework

• 2024 Opioid prevention strategic framework (PDF, 1 MB)
• 2024 Opioid prevention community partners (PDF, 1MB)
• 2024 Opioid prevention county provided services (PDF, 1MB)
• 2018 Opioid prevention strategic framework- strategy and pillars (PDF, 1MB)
• Study: Criminal Justice System as a Point of Intervention to Prevent Opioid-related Deaths, 2018 (PDF, 1 MB)
• Amended Minnesota Opioids State-Subdivision Memorandum of Agreement (state.mn.us)
• WATCH: Hennepin County Opioid Framework Overview for Municipalities Public Meeting recording -  December, 13, 2023

Opioid overdose deaths are rising

Matching nationwide trends, opioid overdose deaths in Minnesota and Hennepin County continue to rise.

Opioid-related deaths in Minnesota and Hennepin County

Source: Minnesota death certificates, MDH. 2021 data are preliminary; Hennepin County geo-coded death data, CDC.

Most opioid overdoses involve fentanyl

Fentanyl is a prescription opioid that’s also made and sold illegally. It’s up to 50 times stronger than heroin and up to 100 times stronger than morphine. Fentanyl is driving recent increases in opioid overdose deaths. 

People may not know they’re taking fentanyl because it’s mixed into fake pills and other drugs. Fentanyl can be addictive and deadly, even in small amounts. 

Opioid-related deaths involving fentanyl in Hennepin County

Source: Hennepin County geo-coded death data, CDC.

Opioid effects are worse for some groups

The opioid epidemic impacts people from all walks of life, but disproportionately affects certain groups. 

In Minnesota, American Indian people and African American people experience higher rates of opioid-related deaths and hospitalizations. 

These differences are influenced by disparities in the social determinants of health, such as housing, food, healthcare, and economic well-being.

The bigger picture, non-fatal overdoses

Overdose deaths are only a part of the picture. Non-fatal overdoses, hospitalizations, injuries, and trauma are all preventable harms related to the opioid epidemic. 

For more information, visit the Minnesota Department of Health's opioid overdose prevention page. 

Safe storage and disposal prevents people from accessing medications that weren't prescribed to them. Protect your friends and family with these precautions:

• Safe medication storage
• Proper medicine disposal
• Safe disposal of needles and sharps

The Hennepin County Sherriff's Office (HCSO) distributes free medication disposal bags at their office locations and by mail. They also host naloxone trainings. Learn more about opioid overdose prevention.

Naloxone (or Narcan)

Naloxone (or Narcan) is a medicine that can reverse opioid overdoses. Find naloxone near you with NaloxoneFinder.

Syringe services programs

Syringe services programs prevent the spread of infectious disease and overdose deaths by providing: 

• Education about overdose prevention and harm reduction 
• Access to naloxone, syringes, and other safer-use supplies 
• Disposal of syringes and medications 
• Vaccination, testing, and treatment resources for HIV and hepatitis B and C 
• Referrals to health care and substance use treatment services

Learn more about syringe services programs:

• Red door syringe services
• NorthPoint harm reduction and testing services
• Twin Cities syringe exchange calendar (PDF, 1MB)

Substance use disorder is treatable, and recovery is possible.

• Get help with an addiction
• Search substance use service openings on Fast-Tracker  
• Find medication for opioid use disorder services

If you are a provider, please visit information for mental health and substance use service providers.