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Minneapolis health department reports declines in fatal overdoses, expands Narcan vending, mobile medical unit and syringe services
Summary
Deputy Commissioner Heidi Ritchie told the committee the city saw a preliminary 26% decline in fatal opioid-related overdoses in 2024 and described Narcan vending machines, a mobile medical unit, syringe drop boxes, the First Step MOUD program and youth prevention curriculum BRAINWAVES.
Deputy Commissioner Heidi Ritchie presented Minneapolis's current opioid-response efforts to the Public Health and Safety Committee on Nov. 12.
Ritchie said preliminary data show a 26% decrease in fatal opioid-involved overdoses in Minneapolis in 2024 (Minnesota overall saw a 32% decrease from 2023), while noting racial disparities persist: rates remain higher for Black and American Indian residents compared with white residents and the American Indian rate had not declined.
The department described multiple harm-reduction and treatment initiatives:…
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