Minnesota Drug Rehabs

Over the past several years, Minnesota has faced a serious heroin and opioid epidemic statewide. With new harm reduction laws in place, state officials are working to combat dangerous drug trafficking efforts taking place in neighborhoods. These policies will also help prevent and reduce the number of drug-related activities and overdoses.

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Newport Academy – Teen Treatment Center

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Minnesota Addiction Treatment

In Minnesota, the majority of addiction treatment admissions are related to marijuana use. However, heroin and opioid addictions have grown into a serious problem statewide, increasing to record-high numbers each year.

Although drug-related deaths in Minnesota are roughly half the national average, Minnesotan youth overdose rates have more than tripled since 1999.

The most common illicit drugs Minnesotans are treated for addictions to include:

Substance abuse is most common among Minnesota teens, as well as adults ages 18 to 25. In addition to dangerous opioid and methamphetamine use, adolescents typically abuse inhalantsMDMA/ecstasy, synthetic drugs and prescription drugs.

Over the past few years, the transportation and distribution of illicit substances has become a growing threat for Minnesota residents. Since the state shares a border with Canada to its north and Lake Superior to its east, drug traffickers have many opportunities to smuggle substances in and out. In addition, Minnesota has 13 ports of entry across the state; however, only three are patrolled 24 hours a day. These less-populated regions have grown as well-known areas for meth labs.

In larger cities, like Minneapolis/St. Paul, drugs are often imported from Mexico and southwestern states. The Twin Cities also has the third largest trucking center in the United States. Private vehicles and commercial trucks come through this area from Chicago and Los Angeles, carrying large quantities of cocaine for distribution. Recently, cocaine has become one of the leading contributors to drug-related crimes in the Minneapolis/St. Paul region. In fact, the Minneapolis Police Department estimates that 90 percent of violent crime in the city is related to cocaine abuse and distribution.

If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction, help is available. Contact us today to learn about different treatment options that will fit your needs.

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Laws Of Minnesota Drug Use

Minnesota has harsh drug laws in place for both sale and possession. There are five degrees of penalties that vary based on the type of drug and the amount involved. The first degree involves the most serious and punishable drug-related activities, whereas the fifth degree is the least severe punishment.

Sale Possession Penalty
First Degree 17+ grams cocaine, methamphetamine, 10+ grams heroin, 50+ grams of other narcotic drug, 200+ doses hallucinogen 50+ grams cocaine, methamphetamine, 25+ grams heroin 0-30 yrs., 4 yr. minimum if prior drug felony; up to $1 million fine
Second Degree 10+ grams any narcotic drug other than heroin, 3+ grams heroin, 50+ doses hallucinogen, sale of Schedule I or II narcotic drug either to a person under 18 or in a school zone, park zone, public housing zone, or drug treatment center 25+ grams cocaine, methamphetamine, 6+ grams heroin, 50+ grams of other narcotic drug, 100+ doses hallucinogen 0-25 yrs., 3 yr. minimum if prior drug felony; up to $500,000 fine
Third Degree Any amount of narcotic drug, 10+ doses hallucinogen, sale of any Schedule I or II drug to a person under 18 or employment of person under 18 to sell same, any amount of cocaine or heroin 10+ grams any narcotic drug other than heroin, 3+ grams heroin, 10+ grams of other narcotic drug and 5 doses of a Schedule I or II narcotic drug in a school zone, park zone, public housing zone, or drug treatment center 0-20 yrs., up to $250,000 fine
Fourth Degree Any Schedule I, II, or III drug in a school zone, park zone or public housing zone. Any Schedule IV or V drug to person under 18 or conspiracy for the same 10 doses hallucinogen, any amount of Schedule I, II, or III controlled substance with intent to sell 0-15 yrs., up to $100,000 fine.
Fifth Degree Any Schedule IV drug Any amount of Schedule I, II, III or IV drugs 0-5 yrs., up to $10,000 fine.

Marijuana Laws In Minnesota

Minnesota’s medical cannabis program became legal in 2015. The following year, in 2016, program registration opened to qualifying individuals. As of July 2016, eight patient centers began operations in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Rochester, St. Cloud, Moorhead, Eagan and Hibbing. Additional centers are planned for other cities in the coming year.

To qualify for medical marijuana, Minnesotans must have a qualifying condition such as:

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
  • Cancer/cachexia
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Intractable pain
  • Seizures
  • Severe and persistent muscle spasms
  • Terminal illness
  • Tourette’s Syndrome

Each patient is limited to a 30-day supply at any given time. While home cultivation is not allowed, many state licensed dispensaries are starting to open their doors across the state.

Although medical marijuana is legal, the recreational use of marijuana is illegal in Minnesota. Those found in possession or the drug will be penalized accordingly.

Marijuana Amount Criminal Charge Potential Sentence
42.5 g or less Misdemeanor No jail time, $200 maximum fine
More than 42.5 g, but less than 10 kg Felony 5 years jail, $10,000 maximum fine
10 kg, but less than 50 kg Felony 30 years jail, $250,000 maximum fine
50 kg, but less than 100 kg Felony 30 years jail, $1,000,000 maximum fine
More than 1.4 grams inside a vehicle (except trunk) Misdemeanor 90 days jail, $1,000 maximum fine

Individuals facing their first charge may be eligible for a conditional discharge. This allows a person to serve probation time rather than going to trial. Oftentimes, a drug education course is required as well. After successfully completing probation, all charges will be dropped.

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Addiction Treatment Laws In Minnesota

Minnesota lawmakers have put various harm reduction laws in place in an effort to protect their state’s residents. These laws attempt to not only detect and combat drug trafficking efforts, but also raise awareness about the consequences of drug abuse and addiction.

Minnesota Syringe Access Initiative

The Minnesota Syringe Access Initiative was enacted in July 1998. It was passed in an effort to reduce the number of drug users sharing contaminated needles. When a needle is used by multiple people, it increases the risk of coming in contact with HIV, hepatitis C or other blood-borne diseases.

Pharmacies that participate in the Syringe Access Initiative may sell up to 10 syringes at a time without a prescription. The law not only provides access to clean needles, it promotes treatment and recovery to those in need. Oftentimes, local organizations will join together and offer welfare services such as affordable housing, workforce solutions and rehab information.

Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention

Minnesota is one of 32 states that has enacted a Good Samaritan law. The law, passed in 2014, provides immunity to those who report a potential overdose to emergency personnel. By protecting individuals from civil liability for certain drug-related activities, it encourages people to call for help when an emergency situation arises.

Additionally, Minnesota’s Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention law permits the distribution of naloxone to counteract the effects of an opioid overdose. Naloxone is a medication that can reverse the damage caused by an opioid overdose and restore an individual’s respiratory functions.

Throughout Minnesota, public health groups and pharmacists can provide naloxone – a medication that counters the effects of an opioid overdose – without requiring a prescription.

Drug Courts

In 1996, Minnesota’s first drug court started in Hennepin County. During the mid-2000s, the number of statewide drug courts increased dramatically. By mid-2007, Minnesota had 27 operational drug courts that covered roughly one third of the state’s counties.

The goal of drug courts is to help offenders overcome their past through recovery instead of incarceration. Programs often include:

  • Addiction treatment
  • Frequent drug testing
  • Court appearances
  • Relapse prevention
  • Substance abuse education
  • Community service

Drug courts are often used to help nonviolent offenders get the treatment they need to recover from a harmful addiction. Since the program’s start, the number of repeat drug offenders has significantly diminished.

As of 2012, the unemployment rate for drug court graduates fell to less than 15 percent – dropping from 50 percent at the start of the program. In addition, an estimated 20 percent of graduates reached a higher level of education during their time in drug court.

Treatment Centers in Minnesota

Over the last several years, Minnesota officials have taken action to combat the rising opioid abuse rates among residents. In 2015, state leaders initiated different programs to help reduce the harmful effects of opioids by:

  • Enhancing care for pregnant women addicted to dangerous drugs.
  • Promoting the Prescription Monitoring Program to better track drug abuse and insurance fraud.
  • Training physicians on symptoms of addiction during yearly exams.
  • Finding alternative methods to treating chronic pain.
  • Expanding the number of cost-effective programs to help community members in need.

When looking for the right treatment center for you, don’t just limit yourself to those in-state. Sometimes the best option is a facility far from home. In fact, out-of-state treatment has advantages such as focusing on your recovery without interruptions, distancing yourself from negative influences and offering specialized programs.

Contact a treatment provider to discuss available treatment options today.

Published:

Author

Jeffrey Juergens

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  • Jeffrey Juergens earned his Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. Jeffrey’s desire to help others led him to focus on economic and social development and policy making. After graduation, he decided to pursue his passion of writing and editing. Jeffrey’s mission is to educate and inform the public on addiction issues and help those in need of treatment find the best option for them.

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