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   Cass County Opioid Settlement Fund Committee of the Board is providing the fourth in a four-part series on opioids to increase the community’s awareness including facts about fentanyl, opioid overdose and naloxone, opioid prevention and response, and opioid treatment and recovery in recognition of National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day on August 21, 2024, and International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st, 2024.

   The drug overdose crisis does not discriminate and has impacted people of all ages, races, ethnicities, economic classes, and education levels in Minnesota and across the nation.  Increasing the understanding of substance use disorders can help decrease the stigma in the community and provide support.

   The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines Substance Use Disorder, also known as addiction, as a “treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.” 

   Substance use disorder is a chronic brain disorder from which people can and do recover.  Specifically, opioid use disorder affects the brain receptors that cause physical response to pain and feeling happy. Addictive substances, especially opioids, can lead to dramatic changes in brain function, reducing a person’s ability to control his or her substance use. Brain sickness is not moral weakness and addiction is a treatable deadly illness.

   There are several different types of treatment for people who would like to reduce their use or stop using substances completely. Types of treatment include outpatient behavioral counseling, medication for substance use disorders to help normalize the brain chemistry, withdrawal management, and inpatient residential services. In Cass County services for medication for opioid use disorders include Leech Lake Opioid Treatment Program 218-333-4514, Essentia Health 833-677-1262, and Sanford Health 218-335-2559.

   FastTrackerMN.org is a dynamic behavioral health search tool that gives Minnesotans access to real time information and availability about treatment and mental health. Whether you’re searching for yourself, a loved one, a patient, or looking for general information, this is your place to start for help.  It has resources such as sober housing in recovery.  

   Recovery support is available with peer support specialists, behavioral health providers, sober housing, and community support groups like Narcotics Anonymous at na.org.

   Help is Available: Free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders is available by 1-800-662-HELP (4357).  

   Together we can make a difference when we all stand together in our community joining the  Cass County Opioid Settlement Fund Committee public meetings that are normally held on the 4th Tuesday of the month from 10:00 am to 11:00 am and more information can be found at www.casscountymn.gov or by contacting  [email protected] or by phone 218-547-6833. For additional resources about opioids visit www.health.state.mn.us/communities/opioids.

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