POLK COUNTY, Minn. — Drug overdose fatalities in Minnesota decreased in 2024, which some in law enforcement believe is due to the increasing availability of naloxone.

Gov. Tim Walz's office recently announced a 26% decline in state overdose deaths last year. Hospital-treated, nonfatal overdoses in the state decreased by 19%, according to the announcement from the governor's office.

Polk County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Nathan Rasch in a statement said that fewer fatalities can be attributed to the availability and use of naloxone.

"The supply of illegal narcotics has not decreased," Rasch said.

Commonly referred to by the brand name Narcan, naloxone is an opiate antagonist used to reverse the effects of overdose from opioids including heroin, morphine, oxycodone and fentanyl. It is availab

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