Hmong and Karen communities in Minnesota are increasingly troubled by substance use among their youth, especially problems with fentanyl, the highly addictive opioid drug.
Our latest Sahan Community Conversation and North Star Journey Live event–a collaboration between MPR News and Sahan Journal–will unite community members, youth advocates, and health officials to talk about community approaches and solutions to this crisis.
Join us on Tuesday, November 14 for this live community conversation, co-moderated by MPR News’ Angela Davis and Sahan Journal’s Samantha HoangLong.
Together, we will:
- Explore the genetic factors and life experiences that contribute to substance abuse, addiction, and mental health challenges within Minnesota’s Hmong and Karen communities.
- Discuss the enduring impacts of immigration experiences, emphasizing the critical need for current and actionable mental health data within Minnesota’s communities of color.
- Examine some of the major obstacles to finding solutions, from combating stigma to identifying culturally relevant treatment options.
While this dialogue will incorporate direct insights and concerns from the Karen and Hmong communities, our conversation will also touch on substance abuse and addiction in Minnesota’s East African, African American, and Indigenous communities.
This event is one of many we have planned for the coming year, and we hope you join us.
Join us for this live community discussion on Tuesday, November 14, at 6:00 p.m. in Washington Technology Magnet School’s Great Hall, located at 1495 Rice Street in St. Paul.
This event is free and open to the public. All community members are encouraged to attend. You can learn more about the event here.
