Brainerd Cemetery

Liz Olson, DFL-Duluth, whose community is one of many ravaged by opioid addiction.Olson and Rep. Dave Baker, R-Wilmar, who lost his son Dan to an overdose, are lead sponsors of what supporters call an opioid stewardship bill. Similar legislation was debated last year, but failed to become law.The proposal would raise $20 million annually, $12 million from drug makers and $8 million from distributors, which would be used for opioid addiction treatment and prevention efforts. An advisory council would be in charge of how the money is spent, following guidelines in the legislation.Previous legislative proposals focused on a penny-per-pill fee on opioids, but some Republicans rejected that idea, saying it was essentially a new tax on legitimate use of the drugs.A push to advance billThe DFL-led House health and human services committee planned to advance the bill Wednesday evening, Jan. 30, after a hearing filled with testimony from supporters and critics. A similar proposal received bipartisan support in the Republican-controlled Senate last year, but has not been reintroduced this so far session.Shelly Elkington, whose daughter Casey Jo died after a battle with opioid addiction, encouraged lawmakers to move the legislation forward so more resources will be available to battle addiction.“I visit my daughter in the cemetery,” Elkington said. “There are mothers in our state right now that can be spared having to do that. There are mothers in the state that can see their daughters live.”A look at the numbersMore than 400 Minnesotans died from opioid overdoses in 2017, according to the latest data from the state Department of Health. Drug overdose deaths have climbed dramatically here and across the nation in recent years as opioid addiction rose to epidemic proportions.More than 3 million opioid prescriptions were written to Minnesota patients in 2017, a decline from the year before, according to state data. But that’s still enough for more than half the state population to have access to the powe...

Special appreciation to Anna & Keith who have been there for all of us, through both good times and sad times. To her fellow nursing career family; friends she shared with her husband Ken, especially neighbors Tony, Laurie (Marc), and Ken's co-workers at the Deerwood Bank & Kinney Realty; and to her new friends at No. Lks Senior Living Apts. We are also grateful for Nick, Mary & Dan at Koop's Funeral Home who's compassion, knowledge and professionalism helped ease the process of making arrangements. To Pastor Paul for his kind words of faith, peace and hope. To our family friend, Mary Lou, for the music and for accompanying brother Ben as he sang songs that have a special meaning to our family. To the members of Immanuel Lutheran for serving lunch and performing other duties that were needed. To all who sent flowers and plants to adorn homes of the family members as a living memory. They were arranged beautifully by our friends Nancy, Julie, and Judy. Also we thank the people who were responsible for snow removal and care of the gravesite at the Oak Grove Nokay Lake Township Cemetery. God Bless You All.