Opioid Overdose Prevention

The opioid epidemic affects all Minnesotans. In 2017, 422 Minnesotans died from an opioid overdose, and another 2,037 experienced a nonfatal opioid-involved overdose. These numbers continue to rise from year to year with their effects extending beyond individual numbers, impacting families, friends, businesses and communities. The Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) opioid overdose prevention work focuses on providing the public with data to allow them to make data-driven prevention decisions that are best for their communities.

While the opioid epidemic has deeply impacted the state and nation, so have harms from alcohol, other drugs and suicide. Preventable harms include more than just deaths. Hospitalizations, injuries and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), among others, are all examples of preventable harms that are related to the opioid epidemic and substance use. Increasing rates of these preventable harms are closely linked to the health and prosperity of communities. Focusing on improving community conditions like job opportunities, quality of education, affordability of child care and community connectedness can help turn the tide in the effort to decrease the number of preventable harms - like opioid overdoses - that occur in Minnesota.