Opioid overdose prevention
We see the opioid epidemic up close, including among inmates at the jail.
You can take action to help prevent and stop opioid overdoses. Learn more below or at the Drug Enforcement Agency's One Pill Can Kill page.
Help someone reverse an active overdose
We give training on how to recognize and stop an overdose. Training includes how to give Naloxone, which reverses an opioid overdose.
This medication is safe and effective. Emergency medical professionals have used it for decades. Minnesota State law allows anyone at risk for having a drug overdose or witnessing a drug overdose to get a prescription for Naloxone.
After you complete the training, we will mail you a supply of Naloxone for free.
Schedule Opioid education and Narcan training
Safely dispose of prescription drugs
Drug disposal pouches (Deterra bags)
We will mail you Deterra drug disposal bags at no cost. Request a drug disposal pouch.
You can use Deterra bags to safely get rid of medications at home:
- Put unwanted medication in the bag.
- Add water, seal and shake.
- Throw the bag in your trash.
Watch how to use the drug disposal (Deterra) bag
Medicine drop boxes
Get rid of your unused prescription drugs at medicine drop boxes. The drop boxes are available at various sites across the county. You can put your unused prescription drugs in the boxes.
Drug take-back events
You can drop off unused prescription drugs with us at events like Drug Take Back Day. The spring Take Back Day event is scheduled for April 22, 10 am - 2 pm. Click the link for locations and more information.
Sheriff's office response to the opioid crisis
Opioid overdose deaths are an epidemic in the U.S. and Hennepin County. Deaths are especially high among the county’s American Indian and African American people.
We see the opioid epidemic up close, including among inmates at the jail.
Our campaign, Survival Through Overdose Prevention (STOP), uses strategies to help prevent overdoses.
Most prescription drug abusers say they got their supply from friends and family. Learn how to safely dispose of prescription drugs and get trained on how to reverse an overdose while it’s happening.
Schedule Opioid education and Narcan training
Preventing overdoses in the jail
The jail medical team is trained to recognize and treat patients affected by opioid use disorder:
- We screen incoming inmates for opioid use disorder and give them treatment as needed.
- A jail doctor and nurse treat inmates for opioid addiction.
- Before we release an inmate from the jail they meet with a nurse coordinator to connect them with community clinics and ongoing care.
Partnerships in responding to the opioid crisis
We work with many people and organizations to help educate the public about the drug dangers, trends and prevention:
- CVS Pharmacy
- Walgreens
- Drug Enforcement Agency
- Hennepin Chiefs
- Hennepin County Environment and Energy
- Hennepin County Health and Human Services
- Hennepin County Sheriff’s Foundation
- Hy-Vee supermarket company
- National Sheriff’s Association
- Steve Rummler HOPE Foundation
- RALI MN
To learn more about working with us, email Jeremy Zoss at jeremy.zoss@hennepin.us.