Opioid epidemic

Far-reaching impact

In the U.S.

In Hennepin County

• 40% of total jail population related to opioid use
• 72% increase in child protection cases resulting from drug abuse

Opioid deaths have risen rapidly and significantly

Across the U.S.

In Hennepin County

Source: MDH Center for Health Statistics; geocoding, analysis and forecast by Hennepin County Public Health.

Opioid effects are worse for some groups

Deaths disproportionately affect young adults

Source: 2000-2016 geocoded death records, MDH Center for Health Statistics.

Deaths disproportionately affect American Indians and African Americans

Source: 2000-2016 geocoded death records, MDH Center for Health Statistics ; 2017 provisional death, MDH Office of Vital Records.

New charts

Opioid-related deaths in Minnesota and Hennepin County

Opioid deaths involving fentanyl in Hennepin County

Percent of total opioid-involved deaths in Hennepin County by age, 2017 to 2021

Age-adjusted rates, Minnesota drug overdose deaths per 100,000 residents

Age-adjusted rates, Minnesota opioid-involved deaths per 100,000 residents, 2017 to 2019

In 2019, 413 Minnesotans died from an opioid overdose.
For every one death, there were:

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

• 2023 Opioid prevention strategic framework (PDF, 1 MB)
• 2023 Opioid prevention community partners (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)

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.