Walz to Launch New Entities in Fight Against Opioid and Addiction Epidemic

April 14, 2022

On April 7, Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order that launched a new interagency subcabinet and advisory council to combat the opioid and addiction epidemic in Minnesota.  

Walz will appoint a new addiction and recovery director to lead addiction and recovery work as well as direct the subcabinet and advisory council. This director will report to Walz and will be the administration’s key point person for the state’s efforts to address opioids, substance use, and addiction. 

The director will also establish and manage external partnerships and build relationships with communities, community leaders, and those who have direct experience with addiction to ensure that all voices of recovery are represented in the work of the subcabinet and advisory council. 

The subcabinet will identify challenges and opportunities that exist across state government with accessing treatment options, addiction-related support and recovery services, and develop recommendations to overcome these barriers. With input from Minnesotans across the state with lived and direct experiences, the subcabinet will work to develop policies and strategies to reduce barriers and gaps in service for Minnesotans seeking treatment from opioid or substance use and addiction, including Native Americans and African Americans.  

The subcabinet will also identify how Minnesota can better address addiction as a chronic disease, identify long-term recovery strategies, and recommend prevention efforts, including addressing underlying causes, public awareness, and education. 

The members of the subcabinet include the leaders of the Minnesota departments of Human Services, Health, Education, and Public Safety; Minnesota Management and Budget; the Office of Higher Education; and the Interagency Council on Homelessness. The addiction and recovery director will chair the Subcabinet. 

Minnesota has seen a significant increase in the number of opioid-related overdose deaths in the past 20 years. The Minnesota Department of Health reported 54 overdose deaths in 2000 and 678 in 2020, with nonfatal overdoses from synthetic opioids – like fentanyl – rising 86 percent from 2019 to 2020 in Minnesota. Minnesota’s overdose mortality rates have steadily been increasing across all populations. This impact is seen across the state, for example in 2019, 15% of all treatment admissions were opioid related. These impacts are especially high among people of color and Indigenous people, leading to some of the worst racial disparities in drug overdose mortality in the nation. In Minnesota, Native Americans are seven times more likely and African Americans are twice as likely to die from opioid-related related overdoses as white people. Since 2000, nearly 5,400 Minnesotans have lost their lives due to opioids. 

Minnesotans interested in serving on the Governor’s Advisory Council on Opioids, Substance Use, and Addiction should visit the Minnesota Secretary of State's website. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply by April 21. Applicants are encouraged to include supporting materials, such as a resume, cover letter, or other materials detailing their relevant experiences. 

Minnesotans interested in the addiction and recovery director position should email a cover letter and resume to Recovery.Director@state.mn.us. Application materials are due by April 21 and should be addressed to Gov. Tim Walz. Applicants can contact Recovery.Director@state.mn.us or (651) 201-3400 with questions about the application process or to request reasonable accommodations.