Substance Misuse & Abuse Prevention

 
 

I am seeking help or treatment

I am seeking prevention information

I am seeking mental health resources

Did you know most students in St. Louis County choose not to vape?

 

 COVID-19 UPDATES:

During this time of building closures and social distancing, St. Louis County continues to provide assistance to those seeking substance use related services. Rule 25's are being done remotely by phone. Eligible St. Louis County residents seeking a Rule 25 can call the intake line:  218-725-5260  to schedule. If you are unsure if you are eligible, please call and we will go through eligibility requirements with you.

If you have concerns about a loved one's use or are looking for resources and would like to speak with a SUD social worker, email: Range; Duluth and we will respond within 24 hours, if not sooner, to provide assistance.

And finally, our SAPII team is available to provide trainings on a variety of topics via ZOOM or WebEx to organizations seeking training alternatives for their staff.  Contact us for more information about scheduling: Range; Duluth. 

Thank you and stay well.

Seeking Help or Treatment

Between July 1, 2018 to July 1, 2020 The State of Minnesota will be reforming the Substance Use Disorder treatment system. Changes include moving away from the current “Rule 25” assessment to a “Direct Access” approach. The direct access approach will allow individuals to go directly to a treatment provider to receive a comprehensive assessment and initiate treatment services. The St. Louis County Substance use disorder Unit will be going through changes during the next 2 years. Please continue to revisit this page or the State of Minnesota’s Department of Human Services ADAD webpage for additional changes to ADAD.

Minnesota Treatment Providers

Assessments- Rule 25 /Comprehensive Assessments

This is the process where a trained individual assesses the individual to determine whether they need substance use disorder treatment services.  Currently income eligible individuals who reside in St. Louis County can contact the Substance Use Disorder Unit to schedule an assessment. Contact information is: 

St. Louis County Intake:
218-725-5260 

Pending federal approval, individuals will be able to go directly to a treatment provider for an assessment, and to initiate treatment services. 

Treatment Funding / Rule 24 / CCDTF

Treatment funding is available to income eligible individuals who reside in St. Louis County, & have completed either a Rule 25 or comprehensive assessment.  Individuals in need of treatment funding will need to come in to apply for funding.  The application process involves a short meeting with a substance use disorder social worker.  In the event an individual is not eligible for County treatment funding a substance use disorder social worker will attempt to make an appropriate referral to access treatment resources.

In Duluth funding interviews are held on Tuesdays from 2:00-3:00 P.M.  

Contact information is:

South St. Louis County
218-726-2204 or 800-450-9777 ext. 2204

North St. Louis County
218-262-6054 or 800-450-9777 ext. 8354.

Case Management / Care Coordination

Individuals eligible for treatment funding for substance use disorder treatment are able to have a substance use disorder social worker assigned to their case.  Substance Use Disorder social workers can assist with funding, treatment referrals, and aftercare planning and resources.  Contact information is:

South St. Louis County
218-720-1528 

North St. Louis County 
218-262-6054

Civil Commitment

Individuals whose substance use presents as habitual and excessive and presents an imminent life-threatening danger to themselves or others may be placed under a Civil Commitment.  Civil Commitment generally begins after a medical doctor has determined an individual meets all of the above noted criteria, followed by a court order.

Individuals placed under Civil Commitment due to substance use, will be assigned a substance use disorder social worker to coordinate care and necessary treatment services. 

South St. Louis County Substance use disorder Unit 

Duluth 
218-726-2273
Government Services Center (GSC)
320 W 2nd St
Duluth, MN 55802

North St. Louis County Substance use disorder Unit

Hibbing
218-262-6036
Courthouse Annex
1814 14th Ave E
Hibbing, MN 55746

Virginia
218-471-7133
Northland Office Center
307 1st St S
Virginia, MN 55792

Other Resources For Seeking Help

Substance Abuse Prevention & Intervention Initiative (SAPII)

The Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Initiative was established by the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners in 2014. The individuals that serve on this initiative provide a wide array of services including: consultation, professional development, community education, and outreach programs.

Alcohol

Tobacco & E-Cigarette

Tobacco Risks & Fact Sheets

St. Louis County Trends

Prevention

Quit Tools

Opioids

Marijuana

Methamphetamine (meth)

Mental Health Resources

It's common to think that a trending activity or behavior is so popular that everyone is doing it. For young people in particular, this preconceived notion can create a peer pressure effect, encouraging more kids to participate in the behavior out of fear of being left out. In reality, the perception that “everyone is doing it” is often overstated. 
 
This is especially true for perceptions about substance use among youth in St. Louis County. Data from the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey (MSS), which surveyed 8th, 9th and 11th grade students, shows that youth perception surrounding substance use tends to overestimate the number of students who have used or currently use substances.
 
For students, it can often feel like a significant number of their peers drink alcohol, use marijuana, or vape; however, the reality is that most 8th, 9th, and 11th grade students do not consistently use these substances. In fact, the MSS data shows that in the 30 days prior to the survey, 85% of southern St. Louis County students did not use alcohol, 88% did not use marijuana, and 79% did not vape. Duluth and Duluth Public School Academy, Floodwood and Hermantown students participated in the MSS. In northern St. Louis County, participating schools include Chisholm, Ely, Hibbing, Virginia, Mt. Iron-Buhl, St. Louis County, and Mesabi East, with data showing that in the 12 months prior to the survey, 70% of students did not drink alcohol and 84% did not use marijuana.
 
New billboards highlighting some of these data and actual student substance use norms are now on display throughout St. Louis County. The billboards communicate that the majority of St. Louis County students do not drink alcohol, use marijuana, or vape, even though they may perceive others are doing so. By giving accurate information about usage, the messaging makes it clear to students that they aren't alone in choosing not to participate in these activities, while maintaining a focus on positive behaviors to change the influences of peer pressure.
 

Parent Corner

Social Media

Contact

The groups listed below help St. Louis County communities prevent & treat drug misuse & abuse.

For anyone seeking help, a rule 25 assessment, or more information regarding treatment please  contact:

St. Louis County Intake 218-725-5260

To request a substance abuse prevention education event or tool kits, please reach out to the employee in your region:

Southern St. Louis County 

Marcia Gurno
Social Worker
218-726-2169
Email


Matt Johnson
Social Worker
218-726-2294
Email

Stephany Medina
Public Health Educator
218-725-5144
Email

Northern St. Louis County

Cheryl Bisping
Public Health Educator
218-471-7385
Email

Bryan Johnson
Social Worker
218-471-7383
Email

Key to Acronyms:

  • BAC - Blood Alcohol Content
  • CDC - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
  • DEA - Drug Enforcement Agency
  • NIH - National Institutes of Health
  • SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration


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