Governor’s Advisory Council on Opioids, Substance Use, and Addiction
In November of 2022, Walz & Flanagan announced appointments to the Governor’s Advisory Council on Opioids, Substance Use, and Addiction. The purpose of the council is to identify opportunities for and barriers to the development and implementation of policies and strategies to expand access to effective services for Minnesotans. The council is committed to serving the underrepresented populations of Minnesota and looks forward to receiving feedback from marginalized communities at highest risk for overdose and addiction. They held their first meeting this February.
The priorities of the council include access to treatment and services, eliminating stigma, decriminalization, enhancing the workforce, state contracting and criminal justice reform, family supports, and housing.
Currently, the council is working on the following items:
1. Background Studies Reform – current employment restrictions are impacting the ability of people with lived experience to secure jobs allowing
them to work with vulnerable populations
2. Access to MAT in jails – it’s currently unheard of for individuals incarcerated to receive prescribed MAT, an essential component of recovery
in jail as well as in the community
More information on the council, their priorities, and future meeting information can be found on their webpage.
Check back later for updates on the council’s next scheduled meeting.
Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council (OERAC)
OERAC was established in 2019 under House File 400 to develop and implement a comprehensive and effective statewide effort to address the opioid addiction and overdose epidemic in Minnesota. More information on the council, including its purpose, members, and meeting information can be found on their website.
Check back later for OERAC’s updated 2024 meeting schedule.
OERAC’s primary focus has been on distributing grant & legislative funding. Most recently, OERAC presented on their legislative agenda as well as MN’s Naloxone initiative. View OERAC’s legislative agenda here. OERAC determined that the rollout of Naloxone as mandated last year was not effective implemented because existing distribution partners didn’t have the funding, staffing or infrastructure to meet mandates. OERAC is now engaging in conversations about using centralized distribution as a solution. This would looks as follows:
