Our View: Public Safety: Combat the Fentanyl Crisis with Information and Action | Editorial

The most effective responses to a health crisis are awareness-raising and action.

The Mankato region took another step in that direction when the Greater Mankato Area United Way and partners hosted an information session on the growing problem of fentanyl and opioid overdoses in the region. Speakers included senior law enforcement officials, drug use victims, a treatment professional and a former correctional officer.

The goal of the event was to raise awareness of the problem, answer people's questions and provide resources, including Narcan, the overdose antidote. Fentanyl use has increased dramatically in the Mankato area over the past five years. According to Blue Earth County Sheriff Jeff Wersal, the Minnesota Valley Drug Task Force seized three fentanyl pills in 2019, then 3,820 in 2022 and 7,934 in 2024.

A detailed report in today's Free Press describes the growing problem in detail. In 2023, the Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force was aware of 94 overdoses in its region, 13 of which were fatal. 41 of the overdoses involved fentanyl. In comparison, there were 9 deaths in 2020, 19 in 2021 and 13 in 2022. In total, there were 86 overdoses in 2020, 102 in 2021 and 89 in 2022.

So the number of deaths remained about the same at about 13, and the total number of overdoses increased compared to 2022. As of Thursday in 2024, there have been 43 known overdoses in the task force region so far, 14 of which involved fentanyl and three of which were fatal. That the number of fatal overdoses will likely decline this year is a positive sign, but there is still work to be done.

Wersal said drug abuse is not more common today, but it is more dangerous. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is about 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Fentanyl can be mixed with other drugs, and its use may be unknown to users. It is highly addictive, users need more each time, and one pill can be fatal. And it has become very cheap, with pills sometimes selling for $10.

Katie Bergemann told the audience her story of opioid abuse and recovery. She grew up in Garden City, started using in high school, and then turned to hard drugs in college. She spent all her money on drugs, then stole from family and friends and started getting more and more warrants.

She eventually sought treatment at Welcome Manor Family Services and participated in Blue Earth County Drug Court, which she called “the greatest blessing I could have ever asked for.” Now a mother of two, Bergemann shared her story in the hopes that others who know what she went through will think twice about drugs.

Such stories are powerful and courageous and they are part of the solution.

Former correctional officer Kara Richardson, who is also a recovering officer and advocate for recovery, was there to teach people how to use the antidote Narcan, noting that it saved lives for some of the 75 or so people in the room that night.

In another powerful moment, she spoke to raise awareness and fight stigma.

In closing, Tina Olson, treatment manager of crisis services at Horizon Homes, urged people not to give up hope and to talk to their loved ones who need help with their addiction and continue to give them information on how they can get support.

Tuesday's event was an important contribution to raising awareness and combating the dangerous fentanyl problem. The Free Press will continue to cover the issue to raise awareness and find solutions. The lives of our friends and neighbors, our sons and daughters, depend on it.

The entire event can be viewed as a video attached to the story on The Free Press website at or on The Free Press Facebook page at.