Opioid Use
Wilkin County is committed to fighting the opioid overdose epidemic. We will monitor trends, build county capacity by gathering resources, improving data collection and supporting use of evidence-based strategies and increase the community's awareness on opioid misuse.
Naloxone (Narcan) is a FDA approved medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. According to SAMHSA (2022), "it is an opioid antagonist—meaning that it binds to opioid receptors and can reverse and block the effects of other opioids, such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone." Naloxone is a short-term treatment and the individual who overdosed will need medical assistance as soon as possible. Naloxone can be given through the nose, into the muscle, under the skin or through a vein. To learn more about overdoses and Naloxone, click here for SAMHSA's website.
If you or someone you know is suffering from substance use/addiction and/or mental health problems and are seeking treatment facilities, you can click on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) website here to locate the nearest facility/provider.
Wilkin County will be receiving opioid settlement funding over the next several years. A Substance Use Advisory Council was created to identify, collaborate, and respond to Wilkin County's opioid misuse issues. The Council will utilize the Community Health Assessment and the Community Health Improvement Plan to guide the work and focus on using evidence-informed approaches that prevent and address addiction.