Fentanyl contributes to rise in Minnesota overdose deaths

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP/SMN) — The number of people who died of drug overdoses in Minnesota climbed by more than 20% last year.

State Department of Health records shows at least 1,286 people in Minnesota died of overdoses in 2021. And, most of the deaths were caused by synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which saw a 32% increase in fatal overdoses compared to 2020.

Greater Minnesota saw a larger percentage increase in overdose deaths than the seven-county metro area for the first time since 2014.

About 450 other deaths were caused by methamphetamine overdoses and 151 deaths were caused by cocaine. Minnesota’s numbers mirror increased drug overdose deaths across the country as fentanyl has been mixed with other drugs like cocaine.