Duluth Overdose 911 Calls Bypass 2022; Downtown Parking Ramp A Hot Spot

DULUTH, Minn. – Overdose 911 calls in Duluth are outpacing all of 2022, according to 911 data, and the downtown parking ramp next to the Fond-du-Luth Casino is one of the prime spots for those overdose calls.

On Monday, FOX 21 requested 911 overdose calls in St. Louis County for 2022 and so far this year.

The data shows, 373 overdose calls in Duluth in 2022.

But as of Nov. 5 of this year, 420 calls have been recorded.

And in just the first five days of November, 15 calls have been recorded in Duluth, including five in the Historic Arts and Theatre District (HART) parking ramp next to the casino at 155 E. Superior Street.

As for specifics at that parking ramp, there were 11 overdose 911 calls in 2022.  But so far this year, that number has tripled to 31 calls.

Beyond the 911 data, the Duluth Police Department tracks the end result of overdose calls, like fatalities.

FOX 21 reached out to the Duluth Police Department’s spokesperson last Thursday for the latest overdose numbers.  We were told collecting the data is time consuming and complex, and that the department is planning to hold a news conference about the topic as early as Wednesday, Nov. 8.

Meanwhile, local organizations provide free Narcan kits and training on how to use them. Two of them are 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