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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn
Marinan, Communications, 612-348-5969
Funding to prevent opioid deaths
Treatment for people involved with justice system
On Tuesday, the board accepted a $937,990 grant to provide medication-assisted therapy for people with opioid use disorder.
Treatment will be offered to people who are booked into the Adult Detention Center, sentenced to the Adult Corrections Facility and diverted to the Behavioral Health Center at 1800 Chicago Avenue.
Diagnosing opioid use disorder and beginning medical treatment while in custody could have positive outcomes for people, reducing the number of deaths and the traumatic and expensive overdose-hospitalization-jail cycle that usually precedes them. This is according to the findings of a study released earlier this year by Hennepin Healthcare and Hennepin County.
Naloxone training and distribution
Hennepin County accepted additional state funding Tuesday to expand access to Naloxone in the community.
Weekly walk-in hours will be increased to distribute Naloxone kits and clean syringes at the Red Door Clinic, which provides sexual health care. Additionally, staff will educate and distribute Naloxone kits to residents of Little Earth, a housing complex in Minneapolis serving the American Indian community.
Hennepin County's opioid response strategy
Learn more about how Hennepin County is responding to the opioid epidemic at hennepin.us/opioidresponse.
Changes to tobacco sales ordinance
On Tuesday, the board voted to amend Hennepin County's tobacco sales ordinance, with the goal of protecting young people from the health effects associated with tobacco use.
Affected communities
Changes will affect areas where Hennepin County is responsible for licensing and regulating retail tobacco sales. These areas include: Greenfield, Mound, Rockford, Rogers, St. Bonifacius, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport.
Changes include
- Raising minimum legal sales age for tobacco products from 18 to 21
- Restricting sale of flavored tobacco products to adult-only tobacco stores
- Prohibiting sale of cigars costing less than $3 each
This is following a public engagement process and public hearing hosted June 11.
Learn more about the ordinance
Visit hennepin.us/proposed-ordinance-21.
New assistant county administrator for public works
The board appointed Lisa Cerney as assistant county administrator for public works effective September 3. Cerney is currently the city engineer and deputy director of public works with the City of Minneapolis.
In her new role, Cerney will be responsible for ensuring coordination among public works departments, public and private agencies, community organizations and partnerships.
This position also serves as deputy executive director of the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority and the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
Watershed district levies
The board approved watershed plan amendments and set maximum 2020 levies as requested by the following watershed management commissions. Levies raise funds for water quality improvement projects in the watersheds.
Recognizing pretrial, probation and parole staff
The board acknowledged Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Appreciation Week, an annual observance that takes place in July. This observance recognizes Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation staff who supervise more than 26,000 clients a year, aiming to reduce recidivism and improve lives.
Current and archival board meetings, agendas and minutes are available at hennepin.us/boardmeetings.
Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at hennepin.us/news.
Discover how we're making a difference in our communities at hennepin.us/stories.
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