Earlier this month, Washington County put out a press release about a drug bust that led to the seizure of 280,000 fentanyl pills, the largest in state history.
We hear all the time how law enforcement is dealing with the opioid crisis in our state, but what about those in our community left with the fallout of addiction? What are the solutions for our family members, friends and neighbors?
Thankfully, there is news there too.
“If you can get drugs with a text, you should be able to get recovery with a text too,” said Jordan Hansen, chief executive and co-founder of YourPath and someone who understands addiction being in long-term recovery himself.
YourPath is based in St. Paul and uses technology to quickly get help and resources to people suffering from substance use disorders. Within 24 hours of a patient reaching out, YourPath will chat via text with the patient and send a link to a secure telehealth platform to continue the conversation and ultimately complete an assessment to get the patient customized help including medication and support from resources in their community.
“Our platform called SALA brings everyone in the treatment and recovery community together working collaboratively, not competitively, to address the needs of the individual suffering from addiction,” said Dr. Steve Delisi, chief medical officer of YourPath.
According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, an estimated 290,000 adults in Minnesota need treatment for a substance use disorder. In 2023 alone, 947 Minnesotans died of an overdose, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
“YourPath strives to create healing ecosystems across communities by linking treatment facilities, care providers, peer organizations, housing agencies, hospitals, public health departments and more,” said Delisi.
One of the largest obstacles for people struggling with addiction is simply choosing to get care. “We know that 6 out of 10 families in Minnesota are affected by substance use,” said Hansen. “We have this huge population of people who have an issue, but are not getting engaged and that’s really where we come in. We make it easy.”
YourPath also works closely with Washington County, which is focused on improving substance use disorder and mental health services using funding provided to the county from opioid settlement funds. “We’re honored to work with Washington County to create a connected, healing ecosystem across the county,” said Delisi.
Success at YourPath is not judged by admittance to a recovery center or commitment to sobriety. Instead, the founders are focused on connecting with people suffering from addiction and putting resources at their fingertips. “The engagement rates we’re seeing month-over-month are 75% to 80%. This is what recovery looks like in my experience,” Hansen explained. “If we keep people engaged and we support them and love on them and have accountability, then they get well.”
Since its inception in 2020, YourPath has connected with more than 6,000 people struggling with substance use, linking them to needed resources and help.
The idea is to allow patients access to all resources, but the ability and agency to chart their own path. “There are so many different pathways to recovery,” Hansen added. “At YourPath, recovery is individualized and people’s choices matter. Empowering them to make decisions and find their own path to recovery is what we’re about.”
As the founders promise, YourPath is only a text away at: 833-454-9209.
Learn more about YourPath at https://yourpathhealth.org/