Health officials to share results of innovative, community-level opioid prevention projects

Event

Minnesota Department of Health Opioid Prevention News Conference and Facebook live broadcast at http://www.facebook.com/mnhealth

Date/Time

Tuesday, March 26, 2019, Noon

Location

CHI St. Gabriel’s Hospital/Unity Specialty Center, Franciscan Room, 815 Second Street SE, Little Falls (enter through door 13)

Facebook live broadcast http://www.facebook.com/mnhealth

Background

The Minnesota Department of Health and community partners will announce preliminary results of the Opioid Community Prevention Pilot Projects. The news conference will highlight how Little Falls and other Minnesota communities are making significant strides in opioid prevention, including reducing the numbers of opioid pills prescribed, increasing the number of patients receiving medication-assisted treatment, and tapering off opioids. In 2017, the Minnesota Legislature approved funding for eight pilot projects to reduce opioid misuse statewide. Each project includes a multifaceted approach with a goal of not just saving lives, but rebuilding them. Speakers will discuss the importance of this program and the opportunity to continue expanding statewide with additional funding proposed this legislative session.

Speakers

• Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm

• Dr. Heather Bell and Dr. Kurt DeVine, CHI St. Gabriel’s Family Medical Center, Little Falls

• Sheriff Shawn Larsen, Morrison County

• Dr. Deb Dittberner and Dr. Paul Kietzmann , Alexandria Clinic, A Service of Alomere Health

• Monica Rudolph, Patient