Minnesota organization works to educate the public on opioids and drug use

It's Overdose Awareness Week in Minnesota and one local organization is marking 14 years of educating the public about opioids, drug use and harm reduction.

Miles Hamline-Zamojski is an organizer with Minnesota Overdose Awareness and he says this year their mission is to reach out directly to users.

"Meet those people in the places where they're at with services that are meeting their needs that make a connection," he said.

The organization has been holding awareness events since 2010, and will continue this weekend with the hope of reaching more people in need.

"We'll have folks there with Narcan, folks there with discounted internet, just all kinds of resources," Hamline-Zomojski explains.

Over 1,300 people die each year in Minnesota from drug overdoses as fentanyl-related incidents continue to keep deaths at a historically high level. And according to the Minnesota Department of Health the number of Minnesotans that have died from an opioid overdose has been on the rise over the last 25 years

Hamline-Zamojski says he and his team are working to combat the issue by providing resources to the public.

"So tragic, you know, to see so many family members who just wish they had had a little more education and a little more awareness about the issue and how to help their loved ones before they pass," Hamline-Zamojski says.

The 14th Annual Overdose Awareness Day is this Saturday and will feature music and food from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. in Northeast Minneapolis. Find more information here .