Preliminary numbers from the Minnesota Department of Health show that overdose deaths decreased 8% from 2022 to 2023. This reduction is likely due to increased education and improved access to the overdose reversal tool Narcan (naloxone). Change the Outcome Executive Director, Colleen Ronnei, recently spoke with Caroline Cummings at WCCO News to share her perspective on the decline in overdose deaths throughout the state. Ronnei commented “Maybe we’ve turned the corner to some degree on the shame and the judgement and the stigma around substance use disorder that more people are asking for help.” This hopeful news displays the importance of education and destigmatization in combating the opioid epidemic.
