The Sagent Behavioral Health provider consulted for this article on the fentanyl crisis in Minnesota is Shelly Jones, LADC, Residential Treatment Director at Sagent Treatment.
Conversations about substance use have changed for Minnesota families over the last few years. Fentanyl has become increasingly common in the illicit drug supply chain, which has created new risks for people who use substances and for families with teens in their homes. It can be particularly dangerous because it can be mixed into other drugs or pressed into medications, which can increase the risk of an accidental and life-threatening overdose.
Fentanyl continues to play a significant role in overdose deaths across the state. Families can benefit from understanding more about fentanyl to help drive conversations, recognize when someone may need help, and what to do in an emergency.
Understanding the fentanyl crisis in Minnesota can help families feel more prepared in recognizing the risks and feel empowered to take action when someone they love needs support.
Understanding the Fentanyl Crisis in Minnesota
Pharmaceutical fentanyl is not a new drug. It is a powerful synthetic opioid that has been on the market since 1968 to effectively treat severe pain. The concern today largely centers around illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which is produced and distributed through the illegal drug supply.
Pharmaceutical fentanyl is also very potent. In fact, it is about 50-100 times more potent than morphine, which increases the risk of an overdose even in small amounts.
The good news is that the state of Minnesota has made progress in reducing overall fentanyl-related overdoses in recent years. The Minnesota Department of Health reported 994 drug overdose deaths in 2024, which is a 26% decrease from 2023. However, synthetic opioids continue to account for the largest share of fatal drug overdoses in the state.
This progress is encouraging, but it doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem anymore. The drug supply chain continues to change and fentanyl continues to be found in new or unexpected substances.
Why is Fentanyl So Dangerous?
Fentanyl is particularly dangerous because many people take it without realizing it. Illicit fentanyl can be mixed into other drugs like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine. It can also be pressed into counterfeit pills that are designed to look like prescription medications. Someone may believe they are taking a familiar medication when the pill actually contains a fatal amount of fentanyl.
This unpredictability and risk are what makes the fentanyl crisis such a serious concern. A person doesn’t necessarily have to intentionally seek out fentanyl to be exposed to it. This is an important message for families to understand. A pill that looks like a prescription medication may not be what it appears to be, especially if it didn’t come directly from a pharmacy.
The same can be true regarding a hard drug like heroin or cocaine. It may unknowingly have a dangerous dose of fentanyl mixed in with the other substance.
The Fentanyl Risk for Kids and Teens
Substance experimentation during adolescence has long been a concern for families in Minnesota and across the country. These days, however, the risk can be higher because a teenager who thinks they are taking a prescription pain medication or anxiety medication may not realize that it is a counterfeit pill containing fentanyl.
This is one reason it’s important for parents and caregivers to have conversations about counterfeit pills specifically. Telling a teenager to “avoid drugs” may not be enough when the substance they are offered doesn’t look like what they expect a dangerous drug to look like.
Parents should continue to talk about the dangers of hard drugs with their children, but they should also talk openly about the risks of taking any medication that wasn’t prescribed to them or didn’t come directly from a pharmacy. Start the conversation by asking your child what they know about fentanyl and then help them understand the risks associated with it.
Know the Signs of an Opioid Overdose
Since fentanyl can be present in a medication or drug without someone’s knowledge, knowing how to recognize an opioid overdose can be lifesaving.
Someone experiencing an overdose may:
- Be difficult or impossible to wake
- Have very slow, shallow or stopped breathing
- Have very small or pinpoint pupils
- Make unusual gurgling, choking, or snoring sounds
- Have pale, gray or bluish skin, lips or fingernails
If you believe someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, call 911 and give the individual naloxone if it is immediately available. Naloxone can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose and can restore breathing while you wait for emergency services to arrive.
As a parent, you may not think it’s necessary to have naloxone on hand in your home if you don’t expect a family member or loved one to use drugs. However, think of it like having a first aid kit or a fire extinguisher. You hope to never use it or need it, but having it nearby can make a lifesaving difference in an emergency situation.
The Fentanyl Crisis and Substance Use Disorders
Substance use disorder is a diagnosable behavioral health condition that involves misuse of substances. People may turn to substances like alcohol or drugs to manage stress, navigate trauma, or to reduce mental health symptoms or emotional or physical pain.
Over time, repeated substance use can change the way the brain responds to the substance and can make stopping more difficult.
Related Reading: Understanding Addiction: Substance Use to Behavioral Patterns | Sagent Behavioral Health
Signs That Support May Be Needed
You don’t have to wait for an overdose or a major crisis to ask for help. It may be time to consider an evaluation if you notice that a loved one’s substance use is:
- Becoming more frequent or difficult to control
- Affecting relationships, work, school or responsibilities
- Causing financial or legal problems
- Causing physical or mental health concerns
- Continuing despite negative consequences
As a parent or caregiver, it can be hard to determine what is deemed “serious enough” to warrant treatment. This is where Sagent Treatment can step in to help. Our substance use professionals and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADCs) can help you understand what’s happening and determine what kind of support may be appropriate.
How Sagent Treatment Can Help
Substance use treatment is personal and should be tailored to each individual. At Sagent Treatment, we take the time to understand the person behind the substance use. Treatment may address the substance use itself while also helping individuals work through their experiences and mental health concerns that may be connected to it.
Depending on someone’s needs, treatment may include:
- Individual or group therapy
- Family support
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions
- Care coordination
- Relapse prevention and recovery planning
The fentanyl crisis in Minnesota is serious, but if you know what fentanyl is and the risks associated with it, you can have open conversations with your children and teens and have resources available like naloxone so you can be prepared for the unexpected.
If you’re concerned about your own substance use or that of someone you love, reach out to our team at Sagent Treatment. We offer compassionate substance use care that is designed to meet people where they are and help them move forward toward recovery in a meaningful way.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Fentanyl Crisis in Minnesota
Why is fentanyl so dangerous?
Fentanyl is extremely potent, and even a small amount can cause a potentially fatal overdose. Illicit fentanyl can also be difficult to identify because it may be mixed into other drugs or made into counterfeit pills that look like prescription medications.
Can a pill that looks like a prescription medication contain fentanyl?
Yes. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl can be pressed into counterfeit pills designed to look like prescription medications.
What are the signs of a fentanyl overdose?
Someone experiencing an opioid overdose may be difficult or impossible to wake, have very slow or stopped breathing, have pinpoint pupils, or have pale, gray, or bluish skin or lips. If you suspect an overdose, call 911 and administer naloxone if it is available.
