Though the pardons are expected to affect nearly 6,600 people, data from the United States Sentencing Commission indicates only three Minnesotans are eligible to receive a pardon.
"We know that reckless, profit-driven dispensing practices fueled the crisis; but ... with better systems in place and proper heeding of red flag warnings, pharmacies can play a direct role in reducing opioid abuse and in saving lives."
The report from Millennium Health analyzed urine samples from substance use disorder treatment testing in the first half of 2022. St. Louis County has seen a 2,500% increase in fentanyl positivity in 2022 compared to 2019.
In the past month, the cities of Marshall, Robbinsdale and St. Joseph approved moratoriums on sales. Other cities across Minnesota are also considering moratoriums as they weigh how they'll tackle enforcement.
The Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office reported that the death of Samantha Myers, 19, of Pennock, is being investigated as a possible overdose of a suspected illegal narcotic substance.
The Elk River man went into a coma and went into kidney failure after being injected with ketamine while struggling with police, according to the complaint filed in Minnesota U.S. District Court.
A St. Cloud man is facing aggravated first-degree drug sale and drug possession charges after Chippewa County law enforcement authorities allegedly found a pound of methamphetamine, a handgun and a wad of cash during a traffic stop.
