Minnesota Had Record Number of Overdose Deaths in 2021

(KNSI) – Minnesota saw a record number of overdose deaths in 2021.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) released a report on Thursday. The 1,286 overdose deaths reported to MDH last year is a 22% increase from 2020. That averages to more than three people dying every day from an overdose. For the first time since 2014, there was a larger percentage increase in overdose deaths in Greater Minnesota (23%) than in the seven-county metropolitan area (20%).

The MDH analysis of death certificates found fentanyl was involved in 90% of all deaths involving opioids. Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid. A dose as small as three grains of rice can be lethal. Officials say fentanyl is becoming more common in illicit drugs, even laced with other drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine.

“This increase in drug overdose deaths is alarming, but there are things we can do about it,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm. “One important step is to expand programs that make it easier for people to access naloxone – a medication that can reverse overdoses and save lives.”

The Naloxone Finder on the Know the Dangers website can help people locate naloxone, which can be picked up at any time and kept in case of an overdose.

Preliminary data from 2021 showed a 35% increase in the total number of overdose deaths involving opioids since 2020 (an increase from 685 deaths in 2020 to 924 deaths in 2021). Drug overdoses from non-opioids also increased from 2020 to 2021, including a 34% increase in overdose deaths involving methamphetamine (338 in 2020 to 454 in 2021) and 81% increase from overdose deaths involving cocaine (85 in 2020 to 154 in 2021).

Read the full report by clicking here.

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