Anoka County confronts opioid crisis through coordinated response, community engagement, and long-term settlement funding

Anoka County has formally launched the Anoka County Opioid Solutions Initiative (ACOSI), a comprehensive and long-term effort designed to confront one of the county’s most persistent public health emergencies. Built around accountability, prevention, treatment access, and community partnership, the initiative is charged with managing opioid settlement funds while supporting strategies intended to save lives and reduce harm across the county.

At its core, ACOSI is both a fiscal steward and a policy framework. Its stated mission is to improve health, save lives, and reduce the impact caused by opioids and other substances by managing opioid settlement funding and supporting strategic partnerships. Its vision centers on ensuring that all Anoka County residents and partners are supported, engaged, and prepared to overcome the opioid crisis and related substance use challenges.

The scale of the crisis in Anoka County

The creation of ACOSI is grounded in sobering data. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, Anoka County has consistently ranked among Minnesota counties with the highest number of drug overdose deaths. In recent years, the county has averaged more than 100 overdose fatalities annually, with synthetic opioids such as fentanyl driving the majority of deaths.

The crisis is also visible in emergency response data. Local law enforcement and emergency medical services have reported a sharp rise in the use of naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal medication commonly known as Narcan. Each administration represents both a life saved and a reminder of the scale of addiction confronting families, first responders, and health systems throughout the county.

Settlement funding and long-term responsibility

ACOSI’s work is anchored in the national opioid settlement framework. In August 2021, the Minnesota Attorney General joined a 26 billion dollar multistate settlement with pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and retailers found to have played a role in fueling the opioid epidemic.

Minnesota is expected to receive more than 300 million dollars through these agreements, with approximately 75 percent directed to counties and cities. Anoka County anticipates receiving about 18 million dollars over an 18 year period. These funds are legally restricted to allowable uses focused on treatment, prevention, and public safety.

County officials emphasize that the settlement dollars represent a rare opportunity to invest in upstream solutions, including mental health services, youth prevention, and community based strategies that address root causes such as trauma, housing instability, and social isolation.

Strategic pillars guiding local spending

Under ACOSI, Anoka County has identified three core pillars to guide settlement investments.

Prevention efforts focus on youth education, stigma reduction, and community awareness, with an emphasis on preventing initial opioid use before addiction takes hold.

Treatment initiatives aim to expand access to medication assisted treatment, detoxification services, and recovery supports, particularly for residents who face barriers to care.

Public safety investments include training for first responders and support for diversion and drug court programs that emphasize rehabilitation over incarceration.

Together, these pillars reflect a shift away from fragmented responses toward a coordinated public health approach.

Community engagement through “Faces of Hope”

A visible part of ACOSI’s stigma reduction strategy is its emphasis on storytelling and public dialogue. On Tuesday, February 3, residents are invited to attend a free community screening of “Faces of Hope” at the Lyric Arts Theatre.

The event runs from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., with the documentary screening beginning at 6:30 p.m. A panel discussion follows at 7:00 p.m., featuring individuals connected to the film and local resource providers who will discuss recovery services available in the community.

County officials describe the documentary as an effort to humanize overdose statistics by centering real stories of resilience and recovery. By hosting the event in a cultural venue, ACOSI aims to integrate conversations about addiction and recovery into the broader social fabric of Anoka County. Light refreshments and prize drawings will be available.

Advisory Council and lived experience leadership

A defining feature of ACOSI is its Advisory Council, which meets monthly and includes public health professionals, law enforcement representatives, and individuals with lived experience. This includes people in long term recovery and family members who have lost loved ones to overdose.

County leaders describe this structure as intentional. By incorporating lived experience into decision making, the county seeks to ensure that funding decisions are informed not only by data, but by the realities of addiction and recovery on the ground. Meeting minutes are publicly available, reinforcing transparency in how settlement dollars are allocated.

While the initial application period for the Advisory Council closed in April 2024, residents interested in future participation or targeted engagement opportunities are encouraged to contact Patti Constant, Senior Program Specialist with Anoka County Public Health.

Funding opportunities through upcoming RFPs

Anoka County Public Health and Environmental Services, on behalf of ACOSI, is preparing Requests for Proposals seeking qualified organizations to address opioid misuse and overdose prevention. The county has stated a particular interest in prevention efforts that address root causes and serve communities most disproportionately impacted by the opioid crisis.

All RFPs are administered through the Public Purchase procurement platform. Key dates for pre proposal meetings, question periods, and proposal deadlines will be posted once finalized.

A long horizon for accountability

The opioid settlement funds will be distributed over nearly two decades, placing a long-term responsibility on local leaders and community partners. State agencies require annual reporting on settlement spending, with data published publicly to ensure accountability.

For Anoka County, ACOSI represents both an urgent response to a continuing crisis and a generational investment in prevention, recovery, and community resilience. The initiative’s success will ultimately be measured not only by dollars spent, but by lives saved, families stabilized, and whether future generations are spared the devastating consequences of opioid addiction.

MinneapoliMedia