Addressing Shortfalls and Opportunities for Growth in the Opioid Epidemic Response Law

The Opioid Epidemic Response Law was enacted to create solutions to the opioid crisis in Minnesota. The intent of the law was to hold Big Pharma accountable for the destructive role played by prescription opioids during the early stages of the opioid crisis; to ensure that people and organizations working on innovative solutions had opportunities for funding; and that voices from all sides of this issue have a platform to be heard, and power to participate in funding decisions. In no uncertain terms, we are extremely disappointed that there have been failures in the implementation of this law which have done a disservice to its intent.

While certain factors which contributed to the funding shortfall may have been out of anyone’s control (e.g. COVID-19), there are further inadequacies that must be addressed to make sure that small nonprofits and grant-seekers have a rightful opportunity for necessary funding to help their communities. 

The Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council was designed to be a council by the people, for the people, and it is critical that this system of governance is allowed to exist without disruption. We are grateful for the hard work and leadership of Advisory Council chair Dr. Anne Pylkas and vice chair Representative Dave Baker, and have confidence that they will continue to lead the council with dedication and grit. 

To ensure the council’s success, we believe recommendations for funding should not be expected until closer to the deadline for drug manufacturers to pay their annual registration fees. This year, the council was expected to make recommendations before they knew exactly how much money they would have to grant out. 

As we’ve come to learn from our advocacy work over the years, the Opioid Epidemic Response Law is a work in progress. This is a huge fight, and this law was only the starting point. Moving forward we hope the grant-writing requirements to receive this funding become more realistic. A small nonprofit should not have to hire a grant writer just to complete the application.

The Steve Rummler HOPE Network will support the changes necessary to this law in order to provide Minnesota metro, rural, and tribal communities with critical treatment, prevention, and recovery resources.

Thank you.

The team at the Steve Rummler HOPE Network

(952) 944-3937
hope@rummlerHOPE.org