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Participants from across the state gathered virtually and in person in January for the SUD Shared Solutions Summit to offer their input on how to improve Minnesota's substance use disorder treatment system. Last week, the steering committee reconvened to discuss a summary for data and the future of a strategic plan. The steering committee is aiming to complete the summary in April 2023, when it will be posted to the SUD Shared Solutions Summit webpage.
The summit was a collaborative effort where participants discussed challenges and opportunities and what needs to be included in the strategic plan. There were 415 people registered to participate virtually and 193 registered to participate in person at the summit, which took place at the Elmer L. Andersen Human Services Building in St. Paul on Jan. 10 and 11.
The summit included keynote speakers, such as DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and new Office of Addiction and Recovery Director Jeremy Drucker and a selection of interactive breakout sessions. Sessions focused on themes such as:
- A Coordinated, Holistic, Integrated Continuum of Care
- Prevention and Education
- Cultural Engagement and Responsiveness
- Funding and Workforce
- Law, Policy and the Criminal Justice System
Throughout the summit, participants used a SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations & Results) Analysis – a strategic planning tool that can be used to help create and execute a strategy. Some takeaways from the breakout sessions included a need for increased access to housing and transportation, a desire for more streamlined funding, a need for more culturally responsive treatment options, a desire for early prevention curriculum that includes family and youth in decision-making, and a need for simpler pathways for people to become licensed drug and alcohol counselors, among others.
The SUD Shared Solutions Summit and the work to create a strategic action plan has been a collaborative effort between The Minnesota Association of Resources for Recovery and Chemical Health, Project Turnabout, Niyyah Recovery Initiative, the American Indian Chemical Dependence Advisory Council, Alluma, Minneapolis College, the Association of Minnesota Counties, the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the Minnesota Department of Health and the Governor's Office.
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