In this powerful episode of the 4UR Health Podcast, Dr. Ronda Marie Chakolis-Hassan, Ph.D., welcomes two key voices from the Minneapolis Health Department—Commissioner Damōn Chaplin and Deputy Commissioner Heidi Ritchie—for an honest, urgent, and solutions-driven conversation about the opioid epidemic and a promising new treatment option: Brixadi.
Together, they examine how communities of color—especially Black Minnesotans—are being disproportionately affected by opioid addiction and overdose deaths. The conversation dives deep into how systemic inequities, stigma, and access barriers continue to drive the crisis and what’s being done to change the trajectory.
What You’ll Learn:
- How the Minneapolis Health Department is leading with equity in the fight against opioids
- Why Brixadi, a new long-acting injectable treatment for opioid use disorder, is offering new hope
- The importance of community trust, education, and culturally responsive care
- How local health policy is evolving to meet the moment
This episode is a must-watch for anyone impacted by the opioid crisis, working in public health, or seeking justice-focused solutions in healthcare.
