As you may be aware, in the past two years heroin has become a major problem in Minnesota and across the nation. As the Star Tribune reported last week, deaths from prescription painkillers and heroin exceeded the number of deaths from motor vehicles in 2013. There were 374 deaths related to motor vehicle accidents in Minnesota compared to 507 deaths due to drug overdoses.
In Eden Prairie we are working to combat this dangerous trend in a number of ways. After identifying it as one of the EPPD’s initiatives for 2014-15, the department provided officer awareness training for our staff and is working with the school district to develop curriculum for Eden Prairie High School and Central Middle School students. In addition, the department began a home medication disposal program to help get rid of unused painkillers and other medications which could escalate to heroin use.
On the enforcement side, the EPPD has an officer who serves on the Southwest Hennepin Drug Task Force (SWHDTF), a law enforcement team made up of officers from Eden Prairie, Edina, Minnetonka, St. Louis Park and Hopkins, along with deputies from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office. The goal of the SWHDTF is to investigate drug-related crimes in the southwest metro area and last week the SWHDTF’s investigation into a drug ring in north Minneapolis resulted in the indictment of eight people for conspiracy to distribute heroin. The arrests were a big step in helping to stop the “heroin highway” that brings heroin into Minnesota from out-of-state.
While we are realistic that we cannot solve the heroin problem overnight, we are working diligently through both education and enforcement to stop this deadly epidemic.
Visit the Eden Prairie Police Department’s blog.
