Minnesota sees 400% increase in illicit fentanyl since 2019

Illicit fentanyl positivity in patient samples from substance use disorder treatment practices in Minnesota increased by 400% during the first half of 2022 compared with 2019, according to a press release from a drug testing laboratory.

According to the CDC, overdose deaths in Minnesota increased by more than 71% from 2019 to 2021, compared to a 51% increase nationwide, Millennium Health said in the press release.

Millennium Health said it released the analysis of urine drug test results to help raise community awareness and education.

“We have already seen too many Minnesota families lose loved ones to drugs,” Angela G. Huskey, PharmD, chief clinical officer of Millennium Health, said in the release. “Our goal is to work hand-in-hand with public health and safety authorities, health care providers and community organizations to proactively address drug exposures and help prevent drug overdose deaths.”