"Substance abuse is a serious and costly issue that affects us all," said Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson. "The long-term and immediate steps recommended in this comprehensive strategy will help save lives and dollars by making our prevention and treatment efforts more efficient and effective."
Substance abuse exacts large costs to law enforcement, courts, corrections, human services, public health systems, and ultimately, Minnesota taxpayers. The Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University estimates that state governments spend 15.7 percent of their budgets, or more than $135 billion collectively, each year dealing with abuse-related issues. A 2011 report from the Minnesota Department of Health showed the impact of alcohol use alone in Minnesota to be over $5 billion a year.
The strategy's long-term policy direction balances public safety, prevention, intervention, and treatment and recovery support services to reduce substance abuse. Among recommendations are integration of screening services in all health care settings and expanded development of recovery centers throughout the state. The strategy also calls for increased coordination among law enforcement to fight the production and sale of illegal drugs.
Currently the Department of Public Safety, through its Office of Justice Programs, is supporting drug task forces around the state. Composed of more than 200 investigators from over 115 police agencies, these task forces focus on major cases that have the potential to significantly reduce drug trafficking and related crimes. In 2011, they made 3,522 arrests for narcotics violations, 92 percent of which were at a felony-level.
"State agencies are working together with stakeholders across Minnesota to deal with the changing nature of illegal substances," said Mona Dohman, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. "We're listening to law enforcement and local officials so that we can employ appropriate strategies quickly and efficiently across the state."
The strategy also identifies rapid growth in prescription opiate and heroin abuse as a leading issue and recommends immediate action in this area. Measures include increased participation by prescribers and pharmacists in the Prescription Monitoring Program, which tracks prescriptions for controlled substances, as well as training for physicians in addiction, prescribing opiates and alternative approaches to pain management.
"This comprehensive, collaborative effort tackles substance abuse in Minnesota head on," said Carol Falkowski, State Substance Abuse Director. "Especially when it comes to our growing problems with prescription opiates and heroin, we need to turn the tide as soon as possible by being smart and working together."
State leaders, substance abuse experts and medical professionals will discuss the strategy at community meetings in Duluth on Nov. 9 and Rochester on Nov. 14.
Their recommendations included the following alcohol related items:
Increasing efforts and enacting statewide polices to reduce underage drinking and alcohol abuse by:
* Evaluating the appropriate level of alcohol excise tax in Minnesota,
* Limiting drink specials in retail liquor establishments,
* Strengthening compliance checks to ensure that retailers do not sell tobacco and alcohol to minors,
* Requiring beverage server training at all liquor establishments to reduce alcohol sales to minors and intoxicated patrons,
* Maintaining limitations on alcohol availability including: alcohol sales restricted to 6 days a week statewide and to current locations (designated liquor outlets not grocery or convenience stores), and
* Ensuring adequate law enforcement resources for the enforcement of existing underage drinking, drinking and drugging laws.
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