About Ramsey County OPUS Coalition

Our Mission

The Ramsey County Opioid Prevention and Unified Services Coalition (OPUS) was developed to establish greater unity between law enforcement, courts, schools, substance use treatment centers, and other community resources. Since 2017, our purpose has been to engage, advocate, inform, and bring awareness of substance use issues throughout Ramsey County. Through education, prevention, enforcement, and treatment, we work together to build a healthy, safe, and drug-free community.

why ramsey county

In 2017 Ramsey County recorded 108 overdose deaths. To combat this crisis, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, County Attorney’s Office, Local Law Enforcement, Schools, the Know the Truth Prevention Program and other local organizations have all come together to address and provide education in order to reduce chemical use in the community.

WhAT WE DO & WHO WE ARE

The Ramsey County OPUS Coalition has two goals: reducing youth substance use and increasing community collaboration in Ramsey County, MN. We are a collaborative of members representing schools, youth-serving organizations, parents, youth, law enforcement, religious and fraternal organizations, businesses, the recovery community, and media all working together to achieve these goals.

Sector Reps

• John Choi | State/ Local / Tribal Government – Ramsey County Attorney’s Office
• Mike Whistler | Parent- Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office
• Ryan O’Neill | Law Enforcement – Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office
• Warsame Shirwa | St. Paul Community Engagement Specialist: East African Community
• Dean Neumann | Healthcare Professional – St. Joseph’s Hospital
• Rose Mckinney | Media – Pineapple RM
• Wendy Jones | Other Organization involved in reducing substance use – MN Recovery Connection
• Randy Anderson | Business Owner – Bold North Recovery
• Pam Lanhart | Religious/ Fraternal Organization – Breakthrough Ministries
• Jyni Koschak | Civic Volunteer Organization – Volunteers of America
• Jennifer Lodin | School
• Isabella Walker | Youth
• Deborah Cavitt | Youth Serving Organization
• Jonessa Wisniewski | Staff – Coalition Coordinator
• Tracee Anderson | Staff – Project Director

THE RAMSEY COUNTY OPUS COALITION IS FUNDED BY THE DRUG FREE COMMUNITIES GRANT