1 week Ago By Kjersti Maday
FARGO — The nation is matching Minnesota and North Dakota when it comes to overdose deaths. However, for the first time since 2018, the country is seeing a decrease. ADVERTISEMENT Updated data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows there was a record 15% drop in overdose deaths nationally in the 12-month period ending in May 2024, but an addiction expert said it's no time to celebrate.
"We are losing too many of our citizens, losing them to overdoses," Patti Senn, the executive director at Soul Solutions Recovery Center in Fargo, said. However, fewer people died from overdoses in 2023 in Minnesota, North Dakota and across the country. "It’s certainly an encouraging trend," Senn said.
Overdose deaths were down 8% in Minnesota and 17% in North Dakota from 2022 to 2023, according to the Minnesota Department of Health and the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. The CDC projects those numbers to fall further in 2024, by 11% in Minnesota and 7% in North Dakota. "We can't celebrate too soon," Senn said.
That's because the number of deaths are still up 85% in Minnesota and 74% in North Dakota from 2019, according to the CDC. ADVERTISEMENT "For the last 15-20 years, the opioid epidemic has escalated over the years with the increase of the prescription opioids and the street drugs, as well," Senn said. She also said more needs to be done to save more people.
"Oftentimes, people are trying to fill an emptiness, a loneliness, trying to self medicate," Senn said. Only about 10% of addicts actually seek help, for many reasons including finances, transportation and insurance. While she doesn't know the reasons behind the decrease in deaths, she does know the increase in treatment facilities and access to overdose reversal medications is helping.
If you or a loved one is experiencing a substance use disorder and want to get help, you can find resources through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website..
