Drug Overdose Prevention Resources
All Opioid Overdose Deaths
Drug Overdose by Race
Emergency room visits for all opioid involved overdoses
Opioid overdose deaths are the most visible outcome from the opioid epidemic. However, death is only one part of the picture of opioid overdoses. For every one death, there are two hospitalizations, four emergency department visits, and seven emergency medical service responses for opioid overdoses. There is overlap between the groups (i.e. an individual may be treated in the emergency department and then die), as well as opioid overdoses that are not captured within this pyramid (e.g., naloxone administered by a family member). The pyramid aims to demonstrate the larger impact of opioid overdoses and who should be involved in the response.
Primary substance at admission to SUD treatment services for adults
County-level drug overdose death data
- Number of Drug Overdose Deaths, 7-County Metro vs. Greater Minnesota, Minnesota Residents, 2011-2022 (PDF)
- Number of Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths (Non-Exclusive), By County of Residence/Metro Area and Year, 2011-2022 (PDF)
- Number of Heroin-Involved Overdose Deaths (Non-Exclusive), By County of Residence/Metro Area and Year, 2011-2022 (PDF)
- Number of Cocaine-Involved Overdose Deaths (Non-Exclusive), By County of Residence/Metro Area and Year, 2011-2022 (PDF)
- Number of Benzodiazepine-Involved Overdose Deaths (Non-Exclusive), By County of Residence/Metro Area and Year, 2011-2022 (PDF)
- Number of Psychostimulants with Abuse Potential-Involved Overdose Deaths (Non-Exclusive), By County of Residence/Metro Area and Year, 2011-2022 (PDF)
- Number of Synthetic Opioid-Involved Drug Deaths (Non-Exclusive), By County of Residence/Metro Area and Year 2011-2022 (PDF)
Overdose Fatality Reviews (OFRs) in Minnesota (PDF)
Nonfatal Emergency Department Visits for Drug Overdose Among Minnesota Residents 2016-2020 (PDF).
Read the MDH report with data on nonfatal emergency department visits for drug overdose from 2016-2020.
Differences in Rates of Drug Overdose Deaths by Race (PDF)
Read the MDH report with preliminary 2019 data on differences in rates of drug overdose deaths between races.
Nonfatal Hospital-Treated Drug Overdose Surveillance and Epidemiology (DOSE) Summary: 2019 Hospital Discharge Data (PDF)
MDH analysis of 2019 nonfatal, hospital-treated drug overdoses in Minnesota including breakdowns by type of drug, ED visit vs. hospitalization, intent, sex, and age.
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Data Brief (PDF)
Statewide and county trends in neonatal abstinence syndrome, 2016-2022
Nonfatal, Unintentional Poisonings in Minnesota from 2012-2017 (PDF)
Data brief on nonfatal, unintentional poisonings among Minnesotans from 2012-2017 using Minnesota Hospital Discharge Data. Key findings include:
- Nonfatal, unintentional poisonings decreased slightly from 2016 to 2017 for the first time
in many years. - Males continue to experience more overdoses than females.
- Nonfatal, unintentional poisonings are highest for 1-4, 25-29, and 50-59 year olds, but are
the result of different types of poisonings. - The Seven-County Metro and Greater Minnesota differ in nonfatal, unintentional poisoning
trends across age groups.
Highlighting the Positive: Somali Students and Substance Use (PDF)
Data brief on substance use among Somali students in Minnesota and protective factors they experience that lead to lower rates of substance use.
Highlighting the Positive: African American Students and Substance Use (PDF)
Data brief on substance use among African-American/Black students in Minnesota and factors like resiliency and other coping strategies that may mitigate the effects of increased risk factors experienced.
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Data Story (PDF)
National, statewide and county trends in neonatal abstinence syndrome from 2012-2016, along with additional considerations for health equity needed when working in NAS prevention.
Minnesota Student Survey (MSS)
Information about the Minnesota Student Survey, which asks questions about activities, experience, and behaviors of 8th, 9th, and 11th graders, including alcohol and drug use
Substance Use in Minnesota
Minnesota data on alcohol, drugs, risk and protective factors, and mental health by region and demographics
2014-2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Model-Based Prevalence Estimates (PDF)
Prevalence estimates of alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, mental health by state
Behavioral Health Trends in the United States (PDF)
Results from the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, including illicit drug use and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
Statewide Trends in Drug Overdose: Preliminary 2022 data update
This report details 2022 preliminary drug overdose data.
MDH Naloxone Protocol
Information about the Naloxone Protocol that pharmacies can adopt in order to dispense naloxone to anyone who is at risk for, or knows someone who is at risk for, an opioid overdose
The Importance of Naloxone in Reversing Opioid Overdose
Video with information about the importance of naloxone and its role in reversing an opioid overdose.
University of Minnesota Naloxone Resource Site
CME/CPE presentation on identifying risks, signs and symptoms of opioid overdoses and understanding the various naloxone formulations. Healthcare providers who watch the video are able to earn CME/CPE credit at no cost.
Statewide Community-based Organizations
As a part of the State Targeted Response (STR) Grants through Department of Human Services (DHS), organizations were awarded funds to provide Naloxone overdose training and kits free of charge. The following community-based organizations provide Naloxone overdose training and kits free of charge:
- Steve Rummler HOPE Network—Call 952-943-3937 or sign up for training from the Steve Rummler HOPE Network.
- Rural AIDS Action Network (RAAN)—Call 320-257-3036.
- Red Door Clinic—Call 612-543-5555.
- Indigenous Peoples Task Force—Call 612-870-1723.
- LSS StreetWorks Collaborative—Call 612-354-3345 or e-mail street.works@lssmn.org.
Minnesota Poison Control
Established under MN State Statute 145.93, the Minnesota Poison Control System is responsible for providing immediate medical treatment recommendations for poisonings and overdoses to the general public and health care professionals. This service is provided statewide by calling 1-800-222-1222 and is available 24/7 with no direct cost to the user. Opioid overdoses fall within this responsibility. Minnesota Poison Control encourages all Minnesotans (public, law enforcement, EMS, health care professionals) to utilize the Minnesota Poison Control for all overdoses, especially opioid overdoses that required naloxone administration. The Minnesota Poison Control can assist with safe medical management and collection of public health data that will aid efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.
Difficult Conversations: A guide for funeral directors addressing deaths by drug overdose (PDF)
Minnesota Opioid Prescribing Guidelines
Minnesota’s opioid prescribing guidelines provide a framework for safe and thoughtful opioid prescribing for pain management. In partnership with the medical community, the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Minnesota Department of Health developed the guidelines for clinicians who manage pain in primary care and specialty outpatient settings. The opioid prescribing guidelines were developed by the Opioid Prescribing Workgroup (OPWG).
Flip the Script
Education campaign aimed at health care professionals and developed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to change the narrative around prescription opioid therapy, pain management and prescription opioid misuse.
MN Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP)
PMP annual reports and monthly data from 2013-2018
Electronic Prescribing (E-Prescribing) Mandate (PDF)
Two new e-prescribing resources are now available on the Minnesota Department of Health’s e-prescribing webpage. The FAQ for E-Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS) (PDF) provides general information on EPCS. EPCS helps to reduce fraud and abuse of controlled substance and is one way to use e-health to prevent and respond to the opioid misuse and overdose.
PMP Registration
PMP Access Request Forms for prescribers, pharmacist, delegates, corners, and coroner delegates
MN Statute 152.02
List of Minnesota scheduled controlled substances
The PEW Charitable Trusts Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Report
Report that outlines eight strategies to maximize the efficacy of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs)
Center for Disease Control Prescribing Opioid for Chronic Pain
CDC Guideline for prescribing opioids for chronic pain
DC Opioid Prescribing Clinical Tools
Clinical tools for prescribing opioids for chronic pain, including a mobile app for calculating MME
Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI) Pain Guidelines: Assessment, Non-Opioid Treatment Approaches and Opioid Management
ICSI Guideline for pain management
New York American College of Physicians Free CME for Managing Pain and Opioid Use
Free continuing medical education for managing pain and opioid use, offered by the NY American College of Physicians
Veterans Administration Opioid Education & Naloxone Distribution (OEND)
This video shows a medical provider discussing the risk of an opioid overdose and offering naloxone to a patient who is taking prescription opioids. While it is no longer recommended to start anyone on opioids for chronic pain, there are patients who are already taking opioids for medical reasons or are actively using prescription and/or illicit opioids. In these cases, it is recommended to co-prescribe naloxone to be prepared in the event of an opioid overdose emergency.
Minnesota Coroners’ & Medical Examiners’ Association
Information about the MN Coroner’ and Medical Examiners’ Association, including forensic groups and programs, and links to MN Statutes Chapter 390—Coroner, Medical Examiner and Chapter 13.83—Medical Examiner Data
Controlled Substances
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) definition of controlled substances
Warning: This Drug May Kill You
HBO Documentary released in 2017 sharing the stories of four families devastated by opioid addiction
Judy's Rx Awareness Story
Mike's Rx Awareness Story
Facing an Everyday Killer
The National Safety Council developed a short film that brings opioid users face-to-face with those who have lost a loved one. The opioid epidemic is the worst drug crisis in US history, directly impacting one in four Americans.
Change the Conversation About Opioid Use Disorders
Change the Outcome is a 501(c)3 non-profit that works to raise awareness and understanding of substance use disorder and the opioid epidemic to reduce stigma, shame and judgement.
Change the Outcome - Official Trailer from Black Feather Creative on Vimeo.
Arthur’s Story
You Tube video on one patient’s recovery from chronic pain using yoga
Fast Tracker for Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Searchable online tool for statewide Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services to assist individuals, family members, detox programs, assessors, care coordinators, physicians, and others to quickly access SUD service openings statewide (e.g. choose Addictions, Chemical Dependency, or Detoxification in the “Search for Clinics” section of the website). Substance Use Disorder treatment programs and detoxification programs licensed by DHS must update program openings on a daily basis.
Recovery Community Organizations funded by DHS to provide peer recovery support services for substance use disorder and addiction:
SAMHSA Substance Use Disorder
Facts on common substance use disorders including Opioid Use Disorder
SAMHSA Buprenorphine Treatment Physician Locater
Find physicians authorized to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine (e.g. suboxone, subutex) by state
Licensing Look Up
Look up licensed providers who specialize in the treatment of substance use disorder that involves injection drug use
Minnesota Treatment Centers and Programs
Guide to alcohol and drug treatment centers and programs in Minnesota
Rule 25 Assessment
List of referral numbers for counties in Minnesota
AA Meeting Locater
List of AA meetings throughout Minnesota
NA Meeting Locater
A list of NA meetings throughout Minnesota
Parity Complaint Registry and Appeal Resource
National registry to track, study, and report on parity violations regarding the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). View of a video made by The Kennedy Forum called The New Frontier of Mental Health and Addiction.
Safe Harbor/No Wrong Door
Safe Harbor provides victim-centered, statewide response for sexually exploited youth. No Wrong Door is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and multi-state agency approach to ensure communities across Minnesota have the knowledge, skills and resources to effectively identify sexually exploited and at-risk youth. To learn more and access services, visit Regional Navigators, Housing, and Protocol Development and Training. If you or someone you know is being sexual exploited or trafficked, please contact your Regional Navigator or contact the Day One Hotline to learn more about services available in your community at 1-866-223-1111.
DSM 5 Criteria for Substance Use Disorder
List of the diagnostic criteria for a Substance Use Disorder
Prescription Opioids and Heroin
Explanation of the relationship between prescription opioids and heroin from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH)
Minnesota Prevention Resource Center (MPRC)
Resource to enhance the capacity of people interesting in preventing problems resulting from alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs
Shatterproof Substance Use Cost Calculator
Tool to calculate the cost of substance use (including prescription drug misuse, alcohol misuse, opioid and heroin addiction as well as misuse of other illicit drugs and marijuana) in your profession based on size of employee base, industry, and state.
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids
National helpline for parents and caregivers who are worried about their child's substance use or substance use disorder.
National Safety Council Opioid Toolkit
Interactive PDFs including facts about sharing medication, how to talk to your medical provider, safe disposal, drug safety for employers, and chronic back pain information
Stop Talking Dirty
Abstract for Stop Talking Dirty, and article from The American Journal of Medicine, that addresses the use of the words “clean” and “dirty” in chemical health care
Academic Detailing
Webinar on the use of academic detailing, or peer-to-peer education, to cut opioid-related emergency visits in half in San Francisco
Managing Unwanted Medications: Safe Disposal Drop-Box Locations
Locations for and explanation of safe disposal of prescription medications.
Safe Disposal Drop-Box Fact Sheet (PDF)
The collection requirements for law enforcement agencies and pharmacies are different. This fact sheet will discuss the collection requirements for pharmacies.
DEA Diversion Control Division
Reporting illicit pharmaceutical activities and prescription misuse online.
Office of Justice Programs Violent Crime Coordinating Council (VCCC)
The 2010 MN Legislature established the Violent Crimes Coordinating Council to provide guidance related to the investigation and prosecution of gang and drug related crime (2016 VCCC Annual Report and meeting minutes are available).
Drug and Violent Crime Enforcement Team (VCET) Task Forces (PDF)
Overseen by the VCCC, these multi-jurisdictional task forces address narcotics, gang and related violent crime. Their goal is to increase the identification and arrest of serious law violators and enhance the amount of law enforcement expertise available statewide for complex investigations that cross jurisdictional boundaries. There are currently 23 funded task forces that oversee 70 counties and are comprised of over 200 investigators.
VCET Commanders List (Word)
Alphabetical listing of each commander for the 23 task forces in Minnesota.
MN Statute 152.021
Sale and possession of controlled substances.
MDH Drug Diversion Prevention
This site includes a final report from Minnesota Controlled Substance Diversion Prevention for preventing diversion within hospitals and nursing homes.
Fentanyl Test Strips to Prevent Drug Overdose - Fact Sheet for Public Health Workers (PDF)
Fact sheet for public health workers on the importance of fentanyl test strips in overdose prevention.
Fentanyl Test Strips to Prevent Drug Overdose - Fact Sheet for People Who Use Drugs (PDF)
Fact sheet for people who use drugs explaining what fentanyl test strips are, how to use them, where to find them, and other overdose prevention strategies.
Harm Reduction and Overdose Prevention (PDF)
Information on syringe service programs, safe use, overdose prevention and treatment resources
Harm Reduction Coalition
Information and resources about harm reduction include the eight principles of harm reduction and best practice guidelines for harm reduction
Reducing Harms Associated with Substance Use Disorder through Syringe Service Programs and Syringe Access (PDF)
Infographic detailing the benefits and need for syringe service programs and syringe access to reduce the harms associated with injection drug use.
Minnesota Pharmacy Syringe/Needle Access Initiative
Information about and list of all pharmacies participating in syringe access program
MN Syringe Service Program Calendar
A listing of hours and locations for Syringe Service Programs in MN.
Your Life Matters - Reduce the Harms of Drug Use (PDF)
This 11x17 poster is intended for public spaces such as bathrooms at libraries, grocery stores, community centers, and laundromats, or other places to reach people at risk of overdosing. It has information about reducing the harms associated with drug use, overdose prevention, and services offered at a Syringe Service Programs (SSP). The poster has a blank space to write/add a sticker with the contact information of the nearest SSP.
A Guide to Establishing Syringe Services Programs (PDF)
A toolkit created by the Comer Family Foundation in response to the CDC report that identified 220 counties that are vulnerable to outbreaks of HIV and hepatitis C
Shootin’ with Care: Safer Injection (Part 1)
Educational program for injection drug users (Note: please use Firefox or Chrome browsers to view)
Shootin’ with Care: Safer Injection (Part 2)
Educational program for injection drug users (Note: please use Firefox or Chrome browsers to view)
Don’t Let Them Sleep it Off
Public service announcement and media campaign in Sarasota to educate the community to attempt to rouse, or wake up, people who are found unconscious
Get Tested
National database of HIV, STD, and Hepatitis testing locations
MDH STD/HIV Partner Services Program
Informing sexual partners of positive STD or HIV test results is a sensitive and private way
Substance Use during Pregnancy and Substance Exposed Infants
From Children’s Minnesota, this site includes an information sheet on opioid use during pregnancy, as well as an information sheet on neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Toolkit (PDF)
Toolkit for the identification, screening, and treatment of NAS, developed by the MN Hospital Association
Clinical Guidance for Treating Pregnant and Parenting Women with Opioid Use Disorder and Their Infants
Guide for health care professionals seeking to improve outcomes for women and infants through the use of accessible, standard approaches to care.
Addressing Viral Hepatitis in People with Substance Use Disorders
Quick guide including screening, evaluation, clinical decision making, treatment, and counseling of viral hepatitis for clinicians and administrators from SAMHSA
HepVu
Interactive maps that visualize Hepatitis C across the country
AIDSVu
Interactive maps that visualize HIV across the country
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Resources for support groups, helpline, and addressing stigma
Zero Suicide
Strategies and tools for the Zero Suicide model for suicide prevention in health and behavioral health care systems
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Resources for suicide prevention including best practices, terms, risk and protective factors, warning signs, fact sheets for specific populations, and strategic planning frameworks
Minnesota Family Planning & STD Hotline
Provides the entire state of Minnesota with reliable, medically accurate, and confidential information via phone, text and web chat.
Power of Protective Factors for Minnesota Youth: Findings from the 2016 Minnesota Student Survey (PDF)
Results from a survey of Minnesota youth about the effects of protective and risk factors on health outcomes
MDH Health Report: Advancing Health Equity in Minnesota (PDF)
A Report to the Legislature that includes recommendations for advancing health equity in Minnesota
MDH Center for Health Equity
Resource Library for Advancing Health Equity in Public Health
CDC Social Determinants of Health
Information about sources of data, programming, policy resources, and tools for addressing social determinants of health
Healthy People 2020 Social Determinants of Health
Resources around economic stability, education, health and health care, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health
Final Report from the World Health Organization about actions to close the gap of social determinants of health
SAMHSA Eight Dimensions of Wellness
Framework from SAMHSA for considering holistic wellness
Fostering Futures in Menominee Nation
Information on efforts in Menominee Nation to address adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the toxic stress caused by them through trauma-informed care and resiliency-building.