Deaths blamed on flood of counterfeit, illicit drugs laced with fentanyl 8:30 am, Apr. 28, 2021 ×
Special to The Forum
ROCHESTER, Minn. Minnesota experienced a 32% increase in overdose deaths between October 2019 and September 2020, according to preliminary data released last week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
With 1,000 overdose deaths in the state during the period of collection, the jump marked an increase of 246 overdose deaths in the state over the previous year. During this same period, North Dakota experienced a 20% increase in overdose deaths, while South Dakota saw overdose deaths fall by 5%.
The 2019-20 spike in Minnesota mirrors nationwide trends, a 12-month period in which 87,000 Americans died from drug overdose for an increase of 28.8% over the previous year. By comparison, 2018-19 marked just a 5% increase in overdose deaths within the United States.
Bill to legalize recreational marijuana advances in House
Bill to legalize recreational marijuana advances in House By KEYC Staff | April 27, 2021 at 10:49 PM CDT - Updated April 27 at 10:52 PM
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KEYC) â A bill that would legalize recreational marijuana use for adults is nearing a full House floor vote â the farthest a proposal like this has ever advanced in the legislature.
Supporters say the bill would shrink the divide between how Black and white Minnesotans are treated for possessing marijuana.
Law enforcement expressed concern over potential increased addiction and traffic safety due to impaired driving.
âOur effort as a society and as a state to use the criminal justice system to ban, prohibit and criminalize cannabis is a public policy failure,â said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley).
Deaths blamed on flood of counterfeit, illicit drugs laced with fentanyl 8:30 am, Apr. 28, 2021 ×
Special to The Forum
ROCHESTER, Minn. Minnesota experienced a 32% increase in overdose deaths between October 2019 and September 2020, according to preliminary data released last week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
With 1,000 overdose deaths in the state during the period of collection, the jump marked an increase of 246 overdose deaths in the state over the previous year. During this same period, North Dakota experienced a 20% increase in overdose deaths, while South Dakota saw overdose deaths fall by 5%.
The 2019-20 spike in Minnesota mirrors nationwide trends, a 12-month period in which 87,000 Americans died from drug overdose for an increase of 28.8% over the previous year. By comparison, 2018-19 marked just a 5% increase in overdose deaths within the United States.