Opioid overdoses drop in MN. Cocaine and meth ODs rise

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The opioid crisis spurred health and government officials to ramp up efforts to prevent fatal overdoses. It appears to be working in Minnesota, but there's a troubling rise in cocaine and meth overdoses.

Opioid overdose deaths declined in Minnesota for the third consecutive year in 2025, according to new data from the Minnesota Department of Health. However, overall drug overdose deaths increased, largely due to a rise in fatalities associated with stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine.

A report released Tuesday shows the number of opioid-involved overdose deaths dropped to 671 in 2025, down from a peak of 1,039 in 2022. Nonfatal hospitalizations related to opioids also decreased, falling from 3,685 in 2024 to 3,617 last year.

Despite the reduction in opioid-related deaths...