Local volunteers and Ripple ask Winona County to speed opioid-prevention funding

Members of Ripple and other local volunteers presented to the Winona County Board on Dec. 16, asking the county to invite the group to submit a funding proposal for opioid-prevention and harm-reduction work.

Speakers described school visits, community billboards and naloxone distribution. One presenter said, “my son did die of a fentanyl poisoning,” and described reaching more than 3,000 students in Southeast Minnesota since 2023. Ripple volunteers asked for funds to pay modest stipends for volunteer time, to buy naloxone boxes and test strips, and to run media campaigns on buses and at local theaters.

Commissioners and staff clarified that opioid-settlement funds are earmarked for prevention, stabilization and recovery and that the county’s opioid committee vets proposals and recommends professional-service agreements with measurable outcomes. Several commissioners recommended sending the request to that committee so staff can evaluate deliverables and timelines; the committee was described as planning to meet in January with the goal of bringing recommendations to the board in February or March.

Speakers emphasized immediate need: volunteers described filling naloxone dispensers around the city and requested county help to buy test strips and fund media outreach. Staff noted some funds are available now for community education and prevention, but recommended the formal committee process to ensure measurable outcomes and compliant professional-service agreements.

Ending: The board generally agreed to refer the discussion to the opioid committee and asked staff to schedule committee review and report back to the full board.