On April 21, ZVMS joined the Mayo Clinic and the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Department in a media briefing to highlight the rise in drug overdoses during the pandemic.
Issue
More than 87,000 Americans died of a drug overdose in the one-year period ending in September 2020, according to preliminary data recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The trend is particularly disturbing in Minnesota, where drug overdoses jumped by 32 percent during that timeframe – a rate higher than the national average. Helping to fuel the surge is an increase in opioid overdoses.
Panelists
The following panelists discussed the trend, what is fueling it, and what individuals can do to help recognize and combat drug abuse:
- Halena Gazelka, MD, chair of Mayo Clinic’s Opioid Stewardship Program
- Judy Greske, a nationally registered paramedic with Mayo Clinic Ambulance in Duluth. Her 36-year-old son Jason Dobosenski died Sept. 12, 2020 in Mankato from a heroin overdose.
- Teresa Rummans, MD, Mayo Clinic psychiatrist and ZVMS representative
- Kevin Torgerson, Olmsted County sheriff
Media Coverage
- Star Tribune Minnesota drug overdose deaths jump 27%
- Paul Scott with Forum News, on Bemidji Pioneer website Minnesota saw 32% jump in overdoses in 2020
- News 8000 Drug overdose deaths continue to rise CDC data shows
KRFO Minnesota sees spike in drug overdoses during the pandemic
KBJR Opioid overdose deaths on the rise; local paramedic shared her personal loss
Mankato Free Press With drug overdose deaths on the rise, mother speaks out about son’s death in Mankato (Also picked up by Yahoo! News)
WJON Minnesota sees spike in drug overdoses during the pandemic
KTTC Mayo Clinic experts meet to discuss the ongoing drug crisis in Minnesota
KIMT Saturday is National Drug Take Back Day
KEYC Panelists discuss Minnesota’s opioid epidemic, highlight National Drug Take Back Day
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
The discussion occurred ahead of National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 24. Due to COVID-19, there was not a community-wide drug take back day in Rochester as in the past. But it is important to remember that individuals can drop off unwanted prescription medications any time at the prescription drug collection box at the Olmsted County Government Center. The box is in the vestibule of the Adult Detention Center.