On the campus of the University of Minnesota, people addressed an audience of more than 1,000 people.
Selected speakers shared statistics.
"In just five years, the emergency room visits resulting from opioid use nearly doubled," said Lucinda Jesson, Department of Human Services commissioner.
They also shared memories about the loss of loved ones.
"My daughter, Ariel, who was 23 years old, had died of a heroin overdose," said Sen. Chris Eaton, DFL-Brooklyn Center. "It was the worst day of my life."
Their experiences stem from one common thing, opioids, which are found in painkillers. Authorities say an addiction to painkillers can lead to an addiction to heroin.
"This is a problem that crosses all racial, economic, ethnic barriers," said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. "It's not limited to one part of the state, or one part of our society."
Because it's a problem that touches everyone, Luger and various stakeholders got together at this forum to find solutions to complicated questions.
"How do we change our culture? How do we change pain management? How do we change the behavior of families so that we don't have this problem going forward? And what can we, in law enforcement do to bring this issue to the fore?" Luger said.
No easy solutions
One thing Minnesota legislators did recently to help heroin overdose victims was allow first responders to carry the drug, naloxone. Yet that's just one act to address a deeply-rooted problem.
For the people gathered at Tuesday's "Pain.Pill.Problem." forum, they hope the gathering will spark momentum that will lead to a long-lasting plan to combat the pain pill problem.
"I'm hoping we actually come up with some concrete plans and solutions," Sen. Eaton said.
U.S. Attorney Luger says people can sign up to be part of several groups aimed at finding solutions to the pain pill problem.
Their ideas will then be taken to regulators, law enforcement agencies and the state legislature.
For more information: www.cme.umn.edu/painpillproblem
Delane Cleveland
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