One of the most crippling epidemics we are seeing is the opioid crisis. The opioid crisis has shattered lives — disproportionately harming communities of color in Minnesota. People in Indigenous communities are about 12 times more likely to die from a drug overdose than their white peers, and Black Minnesotans are about twice as likely. In Minneapolis, the opioid crisis has impacted the East African community at astronomical rates. These are not just alarming statistics; they are members of our community struggling with addiction and battling the stigma, often in the shadows. We must confront the root causes of this epidemic and ensure the hardest-hit communities have access to critical treatment services.
Here in Minnesota, we are thankful to have our Democratic trifecta working on legislation to combat the opioid epidemic and address mental health. In 2023, this led to funding for safe recovery sites, the provision of harm-reduction supplies and community services for those experiencing substance addiction, as well as education and connections to health care and other support systems, such as housing. We also became one of the first states to legalize paraphernalia and safe injection sites, which is proven to reduce overdose deaths, allowing those struggling with addiction to live long enough to get the treatment they need. We are already seeing the positive impacts these policies have had on our communities, with last year being the first time in five years that overdose deaths declined in Minnesota. While we have more work to do, this is what it means to put people first.
Together, we are committed to building more support for mental health and addiction recovery in Minnesota and across the country. Next year, we will work together to put in place additional solutions that will provide our communities with crucial resources and support, including a bill that will focus on addressing the impact of the crisis on young people, particularly in our most vulnerable populations.
To continue our progress and the momentum we have built, we need to elect leaders that will fight for people-first policies and work to build legislation that doesn’t give up on those in need. It is essential that we keep the Democratic trifecta here in Minnesota, elect our progressive champions in Congress, and support the Harris-Walz ticket on Nov. 5.
Join us in choosing a brighter future and changing the lives of future generations of Minnesotans.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democratic, represents Minnesota’s Fifth District in the U.S. House. Dave Wellstone is founder and CEO of Pathfinders Solutions and is a parity advocate.
