Duluth Police Chief ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ With 2024’s Opioid Overdose Stats

DULUTH, Minn. — While one death is too many, Duluth’s top cop is hoping the city is finally turning the corner on the opioid crisis after a record number of overdoses and deaths in 2023.

“I’m cautiously optimistic that our numbers are starting to trend in the right direction, and I think it is a significant reduction from this time, you know, compared to this time last year,” said Chief Mike Ceynowa, of the Duluth Police Department.

Ceynowa believes a multi-pronged approach to the opioid crisis is working, including increased security, outreach workers, and community education on Narcan use.

As of October 1, Duluth police have recorded 231 overdoses compared to 479 at the same time in 2023.

When it comes to opioid-related overdose deaths, 15 people have died so far in 2024 compared to 47 in 2023.

Chief Ceynowa described to FOX 21 how his department and other resources within the community are working to hold dealers accountable, trying to intervene with the addicted and providing resources for those who survive overdoses with the use of the opioid-reversal drug known as Narcan.

“We have our Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force [that’s] going after drug trafficking organizations, high level dealers. We have our patrol officers who are being proactive in doing intervention as well as enforcement of narcotic use and sales and distribution. And then you add into our Behavioral Health Unit [that] does outreach, get people connected with services — build that trust. And then lastly, you have a community who has embraced the idea of having Narcan available,” Ceynowa explained.

Meanwhile, there is a drastic reversal of opioid-related overdoses at the HART Ramp in downtown Duluth on East Superior Street, which is next to the casino.

So far this year (Oct. 1), zero opioid-related overdoses have been reported at the parking ramp compared to a record 33 by this time in 2023.

This comes after the ramp was secured with fencing, automatic doors for drivers and the addition of private security to patrol the ramp.

And while the latest stats for Duluth show promise, Chief Ceynowa stressed the problem is far from over, especially when Fentanyl remains rampant in drugs off the streets.

“I’m sure you’ve seen PSAs on this, this concept of one pill can kill. And you know, that is the truth. What we’re dealing with on the street isn’t being made at a pharmaceutical company. These are people cutting and creating this product, you know, in an in-home lab. And so, the purity and the mix aren’t always the same, and that’s where the real danger is when people utilize controlled substance,” Ceynowa said.

Ceynowa added that Duluth police responded to three suspected opioid-related overdose deaths just this past weekend.

Free Narcan kits and training on how to use them can be found at the Rural AIDS Action Network (RAAN) and the Harm Reduction Sisters.

RAAN: 218-481-7225 Website: raan.org

Harm Reduction Sisters: 218-206-6482 Website: harmreductionsisters.org