Overdose Prevention Media Gallery

The opioid epidemic is not without positive successes. Monica is one example of a success story. The Little Falls resident currently spends her days helping people who are in recovery from opioid use disorder. She, herself, is in recovery from a decade long addiction that began with opioids and ended with heroin, causing her to steal from her parents and hit rock bottom. But there was hope.

Grant is a 17-year old who had his wisdom teeth removed. His oral surgeon prescribed low-dose, short term opioids for pain management. Grant’s parents did their part and learned about the potential for opioid misuse. They advised Grant to use only over-the-counter medications unless absolutely necessary. Grant followed their advice and found he could manage his pain well using only ibuprofen.  His story is one that reflects a growing trend.

The History of Opioids (YouTube)

Opioids in Minnesota. We dive into the history of opioids, heroin and other drugs with White, Tribal and Black communities. Three experts provide perspective on the drugs and the national crisis opioid use disorder has become.

Guests:

Dr. Ryan Kelly, assistant professor of medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School

Jase Roe, case manager, Homeward Bound

Dr. Vincent Peter Hayden, founder, Turning Point

Great Challenges in Greater Minnesota (YouTube)

A Duluth-area mother shares her heart wrenching story of her daughter’s journey into substance use disorder, having been revived twice by naloxone, and her hope that her daughter will survive and thrive as a woman in recovery.  We also learn about a unique delivery service along the Iron Range focused on providing residents naloxone among other harm reduction services.

Guests:

Anne Vandelac, mother of woman in recovery

Sue Purchase, founder, Harm Reduction Sisters

History and Culture: Recovery in Tribal Nations (YouTube)

In this segment, we focus on giving voice to Tribal stories featuring a recovered user who is a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, a Cree Judge who helped turn ‘drug court’ into a wellness court system in Cass and Itasca Counties, and a woman from the Red Lake Nation who is ‘boots on the ground’ helping Native Americans gain access to treatment.

Guests: Curtis Jackson Alcohol and Drug Counselor for Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Judge Korey Wahwassuck Wellness Court, Natasha Kingbird Lead Coordinator of the Women in Recovery Re-entry Program

Opioids in Black Minnesota (YouTube)

The discussion begins with the story of a Minnesota woman and her fall into heroin use, the moment when she realized she was ready for treatment, and why she is using her lived experience to help others. She, along with other community advocates, discuss their efforts to reverse the growing overdose trend among Black Minnesotans, and provide resources and treatments that are culturally specific.

Guests: Pearl Evans, MDH Overdose Prevention Coordinator, Yussuf Shafie Somali Community Liaison, Clarence Jones Founder, HUE-man

Saving Lives: Naloxone and Overdose (YouTube)

We begin with the mother of a young man who recently died of an overdose, after years struggling with opioid addiction. She is taking her grief and channeling it into a passion project to help raise awareness of, and access to, naloxone. Also, we hear from law enforcement in Hennepin County on the uptick in illicit drug use, and a shift in how some law enforcement treats low-level drug users, with a focus on trying to get them help.

Guests: Michele Hein Mother of overdose victim, Lt. Richard Palaia Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Lindsey Bartholdi Drug Intelligence Officer