Eddie Krumpotich

And we said, wow, we want to make sure that people can test substances. Because right now with fentanyl and a lot of the other substances that are killing a lot of Minnesotans, what we want is to be able to test those substances to see what's in it. So we opened that up as well. So now you can have fentanyl test strips and xylosine test strips. And the paraphernalia legalization came after.

And we said, wow, we want to make sure that people can test substances. Because right now with fentanyl and a lot of the other substances that are killing a lot of Minnesotans, what we want is to be able to test those substances to see what's in it. So we opened that up as well. So now you can have fentanyl test strips and xylosine test strips. And the paraphernalia legalization came after.

And Stan, you mentioned something earlier about the hard data. I have that hard data.

And Stan, you mentioned something earlier about the hard data. I have that hard data.

um because we've done the research at the ground level and we also went out and uh and talked to our syringe service providers this is in three and a half months and the reason we've gained national attention here late um and have been a possible voice for national studies is because in three and a half months we have seen a drastic increase at our syringe service providers of not only new clients

um because we've done the research at the ground level and we also went out and uh and talked to our syringe service providers this is in three and a half months and the reason we've gained national attention here late um and have been a possible voice for national studies is because in three and a half months we have seen a drastic increase at our syringe service providers of not only new clients

but we're turnover clients. And those referral systems are not only happening, but that pivot to public health has been amplified immediately. So we know that good things are on the horizon. The next thing is that Minneapolis had a news conference the other day, and this was the police department. And they mentioned that they have not been arresting people at low-level crime.

but we're turnover clients. And those referral systems are not only happening, but that pivot to public health has been amplified immediately. So we know that good things are on the horizon. The next thing is that Minneapolis had a news conference the other day, and this was the police department. And they mentioned that they have not been arresting people at low-level crime.

But then they went on to discuss how they made large amounts of drug seizures at the sales level. So why is that important? They have acknowledged that less arrests for personal possession, less arrests for paraphernalia does not mean you're not going to stop sales. So we knew that was going to happen. So now we're pivoting there as well. And we're seeing that transition to smoking.

But then they went on to discuss how they made large amounts of drug seizures at the sales level. So why is that important? They have acknowledged that less arrests for personal possession, less arrests for paraphernalia does not mean you're not going to stop sales. So we knew that was going to happen. So now we're pivoting there as well. And we're seeing that transition to smoking.

So we have qualitative and quantitative data to back up these initial laws. And so now Minnesota has all of a sudden become the voice of harm reduction across the nation. And we're glad to take and amplify those voices, but we have to do a lot better. And I want to get a little personal here for a second.

So we have qualitative and quantitative data to back up these initial laws. And so now Minnesota has all of a sudden become the voice of harm reduction across the nation. And we're glad to take and amplify those voices, but we have to do a lot better. And I want to get a little personal here for a second.

We have to do a lot better job amplifying the voices of our black, brown, indigenous communities. I grew up in a multiracial family. And yesterday I was on the phone with my brother while he called And my brother is black. And he called 911 yesterday. And I listened to him get arrested on the phone. I listened to him get arrested on the phone.

We have to do a lot better job amplifying the voices of our black, brown, indigenous communities. I grew up in a multiracial family. And yesterday I was on the phone with my brother while he called And my brother is black. And he called 911 yesterday. And I listened to him get arrested on the phone. I listened to him get arrested on the phone.

And as he was getting arrested, telling me, Eddie, I'm going to get arrested because I'm black. This is something that I don't have to deal with as a white man. And substance use disorder takes three times as many black people here in the state of Minnesota and 10 times as many indigenous individuals. It's disgusting.

And as he was getting arrested, telling me, Eddie, I'm going to get arrested because I'm black. This is something that I don't have to deal with as a white man. And substance use disorder takes three times as many black people here in the state of Minnesota and 10 times as many indigenous individuals. It's disgusting.

And I say that with with with a lot of emphasis, because that is a lot of our focus this year. And we're just so glad to be a part of this. But we got to do better.

And I say that with with with a lot of emphasis, because that is a lot of our focus this year. And we're just so glad to be a part of this. But we got to do better.

Right around that time. I don't want to get right around that time, Pearl.

Right around that time. I don't want to get right around that time, Pearl.