Opioid use on the rise

• The opioid epidemic began in the 1990s with the overprescribing of prescriptions to treat pain. This led to the abuse of opioids and the growing number of fatal and non-fatal overdoses we see today.
• Four Minnesotans die each day from drug overdoses.
• Minneapolis opioid deaths from 2021 to 2022 increased by 24%.

Read about fentanyl from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Read about Minnesota's opioid epidemic from the Minnesota Department of Health

Overdoses

• Overall, opioid-involved deaths increased by 22% in Minneapolis from 2022 (206) to 2023 (251).

• Increase was driven by use of synthetic opioids (such as fentanyl) and psychostimulants (such as MDMA, meth), but likely a combination of both.

• In terms of race/ethnicity, the largest number of increases were seen among Black (53%) and Hispanic (79%) Minneapolis residents. Cases among American Indians remained level. However, rates for American Indians, Black, and Hispanic Minneapolis residents are 24.4, 5.8, and 2.27 times greater than among White residents, respectively.

• In terms of age, the bulk of cases (85%) is among those aged 25 – 64, with over 50% of those cases between the ages of 35 – 54. Increases were seen in all age groups except 25 -34.

Narcan vending machine 

Data from July 3, 2024-March 28, 2025

• Launched: July 3, 2024
• Location: Fire Station 21
• Machine capacity: 150 boxes of nasal NARCAN (two doses per box)
• Stocking: Checked and restocked every 7-10 days (three to five times/month)

Boxes dispensed

• 1,479 boxes dispensed through March 31
• Highest Output: August 2024 - 276 boxes dispensed
• Lowest Output: February 2025 - 45 boxes dispensed
• Average number of boxes dispensed per month: 164