Minnesota Commits $15 Million To Strengthen Opioid Abuse Fight, Awards Grants To 23 Organizations Statewide

Minnesota Commits $15 Million To Strengthen Opioid Abuse Fight, Awards Grants To 23 Organizations Statewide

SAINT PAUL, MN – July 4, 2025 – In a significant and sustained effort to combat the ongoing opioid crisis, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) today announced the allocation of $15 million in new state grants. These crucial funds, recommended by the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council, will expand vital services for individuals and communities grappling with opioid use disorder across Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metropolitan area, greater Minnesota, and Tribal Nations.

This substantial investment comes at a pivotal time, building on recent progress while addressing persistent challenges. While Minnesota saw a promising 8% decline in fatal opioid overdoses in 2023 for the first time since 2018, and an increase in opioid-related treatment admissions for the third consecutive year, officials emphasize that the crisis continues to deeply impact families and communities statewide. The widespread presence of highly potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl remains a critical concern, disproportionately affecting American Indian and Black Minnesotans.

"The opioid crisis continues to touch every corner of our state, and this $15 million investment is a testament to Minnesota's unwavering commitment to saving lives and fostering recovery," said Human Services Commissioner Shireen Gandhi. "These grants will empower organizations at the forefront of this fight to deliver critical, culturally relevant care and expand access to life-saving services, ensuring that our progress is equitable and reaches those most in need."

The grants target key areas designed to build on recent progress and address persistent disparities:

• Expanding the Continuum of Care: Over $4.5 million is designated to enhance and broaden the availability of evidence-based treatment options for opioid-related substance use disorders, ensuring more Minnesotans can access the help they need. This includes Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), a highly effective treatment.
• Harm Reduction and Workforce Development: More than $3 million will be dedicated to harm reduction initiatives, which include distributing life-saving naloxone (Narcan) to prevent overdose fatalities and providing essential support for individuals actively using substances. A significant portion will also be invested in workforce development programs and training to build a stronger, more diverse cadre of professionals in the addiction recovery field, including certified peer recovery specialists.
• Prevention, Education, Chronic Pain Care, and Alternative Treatments: Additional funds will bolster primary prevention and education efforts aimed at deterring opioid misuse, particularly among youth. Resources will also support innovative approaches to chronic pain management, seeking to reduce reliance on addictive narcotics, and explore alternative, non-opioid treatments for substance use disorder.

A major focus of this funding round is to improve culturally relevant care, especially for Native communities and people of color who have been disproportionately affected by the opioid epidemic. Several grantees will develop and expand programs specifically tailored to these populations, recognizing the importance of trust and cultural understanding in effective treatment and recovery.

"Access to high-quality, culturally relevant care is essential for anyone who needs treatment for opioid use disorder," stated Joe Clubb, chair of the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council. "This funding expansion will help reduce harm by connecting Minnesotans with the care they need, addressing the deep-seated inequities that have exacerbated this crisis."

Examples of funded initiatives include:

• Amherst H. Wilder Foundation: Expanding culturally based, in-language Substance Use Disorder and Opioid Use Disorder services for Karen and Hmong adults and adolescents in the Twin Cities.
• Fulcrum Health, Inc.: Deploying a mobile clinic to deliver evidence-based, non-opioid treatments for chronic pain in underserved areas of Anoka, Hennepin, and Ramsey Counties.
• Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center: Expanding operational hours and integrating peer recovery support at their drop-in center to improve access to OUD treatment for Native American women and LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Native American Community Clinic: Improving OUD treatment access for American Indian/Alaskan Native populations in the Twin Cities through same-day Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) appointments and partnerships with justice and healthcare systems.
• RS EDEN: Enhancing substance use treatment programs by integrating medical and mental health services, prioritizing social determinants of health such as stable housing, and adopting a harm reduction approach to address complex care needs.
• Valley Medical and Wellness: Implementing a program utilizing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to treat chronic pain and depression, particularly among American Indians, aiming to reduce opioid dependency and improve treatment outcomes.
• Amethyst Recovery Solutions Inc.: Providing culturally responsive Certified Peer Recovery Specialist training to individuals from populations disproportionately affected by OUD, including American Indian and Indigenous populations, the unhoused, and justice-involved persons.

This round of grants marks the fourth set of awards recommended by the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council, building on previous successes and adapting to the evolving landscape of the crisis. The state has also updated its Opioid Epidemic Response Spending Dashboard with 2024 data, promoting transparency and helping identify community needs for future funding opportunities.

The funds for these grants largely originate from national opioid settlement agreements secured by the Minnesota Attorney General's Office. These landmark settlements, totaling over $300 million for Minnesota from pharmaceutical companies and distributors, address their role in fueling the opioid epidemic. A significant portion of these settlement funds are earmarked for abatement efforts, including prevention, treatment, and harm reduction initiatives at both state and local levels, ensuring a sustained and strategic response to this public health challenge.

For a complete list of organizations receiving funding and detailed project descriptions, please visit the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council's website or the Minnesota Department of Human Services website.

MinneapoliMedia