The Opioid Crisis

What ARE opioidS?

Opioids are a type of drug that binds to certain receptors in your body that then minimize your perception of pain.

Receptors in the body detect and read opioids' signals. The receptors then send "messages" to the brain.

Opioids can also cause a number of side effects and often affect your mood, breathing, and blood pressure.

Opioids can be highly addictive.

Types of Opioids: prescribed and not prescribed

Examples include: heroin, prescription pain drugs (i.e. oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine and morphine) and synthetic opioids (i.e. fentanyl)













The opioid crisis affects people across all racial and ethnic groups, socioeconomic backgrounds, and geographical locations. Historically, men have experienced higher rates of opioid misuse than women. In recent years, that gap has narrowed.

Opioid use in Minnesota (2013-2014):

  • Most recent data from Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

  • There are likely higher rates of use than shown in the table, due to national increases in opioid use in recent years

Disparities in Minnesota:

See Resources for More Details

Data Snapshot

MN AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES

Minnesota ranks 6th in the overdose mortality rate in the United States for Black communities
MN BLACK COMMUNITIES MORTALITY RATE RANKING IN THE US
Opioid related deaths have increased by 41% from 2010 t0 2014
OVERALL US BLACK COMMUNITIES' OPIOID-RELATED DEATH INCREASE %
Death rates related to opioid use are 2x higher for African Americans compared to Whites
MN BLACK COMMUNITY OVERDOSE DRUG DEATH RATES ARE #1 IN US

MN TRIBAL NATION COMMUNITIES

Tribal communities have 6X the overdose death rate of white Minnesotans
MN AMERICAN INDIAN WOMEN DIAGNOSED IN PREGNANCY RATE
Tribal community members are 8.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with maternal opioid dependency during pregnancy than other Minnesotans
MN AMERICAN INDIAN WOMEN DIAGNOSED IN PREGNANCY RATE
Tribal communities have 7.4 times the rate of NAS compared to other Minnesotans
MN AMERICAN INDIAN INFANTS NAS BIRTH RATE

OVERALL MN POPULATION RATES

From 2010 to 2014, the rate of NAS in Minnesota more than doubled.
MINNESOTA NAS RATE

OVERALL U.S. LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY

Individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community have 3X the rate of opioid use disorder compared to other Americans

OVERALL U.S. DISABILITY COMMUNITY

Rates of substance use disorder is 2-4 times higher in the disability community
40% of social security beneficiaries are prescribed opioids, and 20% are chronic opioid users.

MORE DETAILS ON DISPROPORTIONATE RATES IN RESOURCE SECTION