Ramsey County Board Workshop on Opioid Response Initiative – July 7, 2026
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Ramsey County Board Workshop on Opioid Response Initiative – July 7, 2026
This workshop, held on July 7, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in Courthouse Room 220, provided an update on Ramsey County’s Opioid Response Initiative. The meeting included a presentation by public health officials, a firsthand testimony from a health educator in recovery, and discussion on the use of opioid settlement funds, current programming, governance structure, and future priorities. No votes were taken.
Personal Testimony
- Ryan Rasmussen, Health Educator for St. Paul–Ramsey County Public Health, shared his personal story of 13 years of recovery from opioid addiction. He emphasized the need for upstream prevention, low-barrier services, and coordinated county systems that meet individuals at their moment of clarity with appropriate resources rather than stigma or bureaucratic barriers. He urged the board to invest in compassion and infrastructure that turns moments of crisis into pathways to recovery.
Discussion Items
- Opioid Crisis Data: The opioid epidemic was declared a public health emergency in 2017. Opioid-involved deaths among Ramsey County residents peaked at over 150 in 2022, declining to approximately 115 in 2023–2024. Preliminary 2025 data shows stability. Disparities persist: Black/African American and American Indian residents experience overdoses at disproportionately higher rates.
- Settlement Funding: Ramsey County is expected to receive over $26 million in opioid settlement funds through annual payments from 2022 to 2038. To date, $11.1 million has been received; $2.1 million has been spent. By end of 2027, the county expects to have $9.1 million in uncommitted funds. Additional settlements (Purdue Pharma, Sackler family, eight manufacturers) are pending approval and could bring more funds.
- Current Investments and Programs: Highlights included naloxone distribution partnerships (e.g., with Steve Rumbler Holt Foundation), harm reduction supply cabinets at community centers, a solicitation for a vending machine for harm reduction supplies, funding for St. Paul Fire Department first responders ($20,000), the syringe services program (state funding lost June 2026; bridge funding from settlement for one year), extended-release buprenorphine (Sublocade/Brixadi) in correctional facilities (two initial doses given in 2025), and partnerships with Second Judicial Court and Justice Points for treatment courts (serving up to 55 participants).
- Governance Structure: A new county-wide governance model was created in October 2025, with an executive sponsor team (three Deputy County Managers: Nadir Adu, Gloria Reyes, Karen Francois), an Internal Advisory Committee chaired by the Public Health Director with representatives from nine departments, and a planned future Community Advisory Group to incorporate lived experience and community voices.
- Challenges and Coordination: Discussion highlighted the need for better coordination with cities receiving direct settlement funds (St. Paul, Maplewood, etc.), avoiding duplication, leveraging partnerships with Regions Hospital for high-cost extended-release buprenorphine, and ensuring sustainability for community grantees. Commissioners emphasized aligning opioid investments with existing mandated county work (e.g., African American Preservation Act, alternative response initiatives) and avoiding dilution of settlement funds as a budget stopgap.
Key Outcomes
- No votes were taken during the workshop.
- The board provided feedback: prioritize upstream prevention, require evaluation and impact tracking, ensure community advisory group includes lived experience and community-based organizations, align opioid work with other county initiatives, and use these flexible funds to offset gaps that cannot be placed on property taxes.
- Staff will incorporate board feedback into future funding priorities and continue refining the governance structure. A follow-up memo with links to data sources and reports will be provided to commissioners.
Meeting Transcript
Well, good afternoon, everyone. And welcome to the Ramsey County Board Workshop. This afternoon workshop will be a presentation of the county's OPR response initiative. Today's workshop focuses on Ramsey County response to the OPR epidemic, which it is, and how we are using the opioid settlement funds to address its impact in our community. A courtesy reminder that this board's workshop is recorded and it is live streamed on Zoom webinar. So there would be no votes taken during the workshop. So we're going to start with introductions of commissioners and presenters around the table, then the rest of the room. So I am Green Moran, Ramsey County Commissioner, District 4. Charge Evan Thing, County Commissioner District 1. Mary Joe McGuire, Commissioner District 2. Ralph Ayola, Commissioner District 5. My Chong Zhang Commissioner District 6. Chairson McMurtry, Commissioner District 3. Helly Miller, Commissioner District 7. Well back here county manager. Why don't we start right here in the front? So Mitchell, the supervisor of the opioid settlement team in public health. Oh, and Colin Sparrow, I'm here. Veronica Jackson, I'm the raisin called Faculty Administrator. Ray O'Reill, I'm a communication support for the OPA response. Ashley Sarm Division Manager for Clinical Services and then Bonacult. Eric Reminson, our regional response supervisor with services and public health. Brian Rasmussen Health Educator, St. Paul, Ramsey County, Public Health. Rachel Dixon, Thomson John Gentleman. Well, thank you, everyone, and welcome. Did we get everyone before in here? Sorry. General Controller Health Officers. I thank you. Welcome. So the opioid epidemic was declared a public health emergency in 2017. And it continues to affect communities across the county. They have remained relatively stable through 2025. This reminds us that although we made progress, there is still significant work ahead. Ramsey County is expected to receive more than 26 million dollars in opioid settlement funds through the annual payment through 2022 from 2022 through 2038. These funds represent an important opportunity and a responsibility to invest in strategies that prevent overdose deaths and address the long-term impact of the opioid crisis. You understand I did that prevent these nice and live. The work is evolving, including a new governance structure, stronger coordination across departments, and opportunities for intentional partnerships. The sponsors of the new governance structures are Deputy County, Karen Francois, Deputy County Manager Gloria Reyes, the Deputy Counter Manager, Nadir, Lydia Abby, who's at the table, thank you. The workshop will be presented by Health and Wellness Deputy County Manager, Nerdier Abby, Public Health Director, Amy Karen, Public Health Deputy Director Ray Eaton Frank, and Health Educator Ryan. Who's not here? Ryan Robinson. Okay. Brian, okay. So who would like to open up? Good here. Thank you, Chair. Good afternoon, Chair Commissioners, County Manager. Thank you for the opportunity to provide an update to the Ramsey County County Wide Opioid Response Initiative today.
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