In response to the alarming statewide rise in deaths and addiction to opioids, in 2019, the Minnesota Legislator created the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council (OERAC) and the Opiate Epidemic Response Account (OERA). The Council was charged with developing and implementing a comprehensive and effective statewide effort to address the opioid addiction and overdose epidemic in Minnesota.
The Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council announced grantees who aim to partner in addressing the epidemic in a wide variety of ways across the state. In response, Senator Mary Kunesh released the following statement:
“This opioid crisis, which affects millions of people across the country and thousands in Minnesota, shows no signs of stopping. The pace of opioid addiction and subsequent deaths are so heartbreaking and when looking at the statistics, they are more overwhelming than reassuring.
I am confident that our great state of Minnesota and our communities will succeed in minimizing the catastrophic consequences of the opioid crisis through the partnership and engagement of OERAC (Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council). I am proud to participate on this Council’s focus not just on prescribing guidelines, but on naloxone distribution, increasing access to treatment, and preventing diversion. We need to focus on them all, and all at once, because a multi-faceted problem requires a multi-faceted solution toward a healthy and vibrant Minnesota.”
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