Far-reaching impact

In the U.S.

In Hennepin County

• 40% of total jail population related to opioid use
• 72% increase in child protection cases resulting from drug abuse

Opioid deaths have risen rapidly and significantly

Across the U.S.

In Hennepin County

Source: MDH Center for Health Statistics; geocoding, analysis and forecast by Hennepin County Public Health.

Opioid affects are worse for some groups

Deaths disproportionately affect young adults

Source: 2000-2016 geocoded death records, MDH Center for Health Statistics.

Deaths disproportionately affect American Indians and African Americans 

 

Source: 2000-2016 geocoded death records, MDH Center for Health Statistics ; 2017 provisional death, MDH Office of Vital Records.

Our approach

Hennepin County's approach to the opioid crisis includes the following three pillars and nine priorities:

Primary prevention

To prevent the further spread of the opioid crisis, our approach will include:

• Monitoring and communication
• Education and stigma reduction
• Managing access
• Safe storage and disposal
• Public safety interventions

Response

To avert overdose deaths, our approach focuses on:

• Rescue
• Harm reduction

Treatment and recovery

We will provide evidence-based treatment and recovery services that include:

• Access to treatment and recovery services
• Justice-involved supports

Next steps

Hennepin County will:

• Assign someone to carry out this strategy
• Partner with disproportionately impacted communities
• Define a naloxone response for county facilities
• Provide prescriber training on opioid guidelines

Learn more

• Opioid prevention strategic framework — strategy and pillars (PDF)
• Opioid prevention strategic framework— executive summary (PDF)