Opioids and substance use resources
We list recovery programs, safe syringe and naloxone services and more.
Statistics
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
| Fatal opioid overdoses by year |
|---|
| Year | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 422 | 343 | 427 | 678 | 924 | 1,002 |
| Minneapolis | 83 | 74 | 86 | 146 | 197 | 231 |
- In 2022, Minneapolis had 24 percent of the opioid deaths in the state
- Minneapolis makes up 8 percent of the state's population.
- Fentanyl is the most common opioid being abused in our city. It’s a synthetic opioid approved for treating pain. It can be:
- Up to 50 times stronger than heroin
- 100 times stronger than morphine
- Illegally made fentanyl is linked to the increase in fatal and non-fatal overdoses.
- Three grains of salt are about how much fentanyl it takes to kill a person.
Safe Stations
If you or a loved one are having trouble with substance abuse, Fire Station 14 will get you help. It's free.
Contact us
Minneapolis Health Department
Phone
Address
Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 520
Minneapolis, MN 55415