Skip to main content
An official website of Hennepin County, Minnesota
Hennepin county

Projects and initiatives

Opioid response strategy

Our community is facing an opioid crisis. In 2024, more than 10,000 emergency room or hospital visits involved opioids. 264 lives were lost to opioid-related overdoses. A big reason for the rise in these deaths is the spread of fentanyl and fentanyl-laced drugs. In 2024, fentanyl was involved in over 91% of opioid-related deaths in Hennepin County.

Understanding the risks of opioids, especially fentanyl, can save lives.

To learn about services that can help you, visit Opioid response services.

Understanding the opioid epidemic

People affected

The opioid crisis affects people from all backgrounds. It harms some groups more than others.

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

These differences are influenced by disparities in health, housing, food, healthcare and economic well-being.

Role of fentanyl in overdoses

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.

Nonfatal overdoses

Overdose deaths are only a part of the issue. Nonfatal overdoses, hospitalizations, injuries, and trauma are all preventable.

Minnesota Department of Health's drug overdose prevention 

Data

In 2024, opioid-related deaths declined by 31%. We define opioid-related deaths as any death where opioids were involved, either as the primary cause or contributing cause of death. The death data dashboard further explores demographics, geography, and polysubstance (methamphetamines). Opioid-related deaths among Hennepin County residents - Power BI dashboard

Substance involved emergency and hospital visits in 7-county metro area - Power BI dashboard

Health trends across communities in Minnesota - Power BI dashboard

Hennepin County's response

Opioid deaths are going down across Minnesota, but they are still high in Hennepin County.

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

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

Strategic framework

Related pages

Contact