Dakota County is encouraging individuals to apply to serve on the new Opioid Response Advisory Committee, which will recommend funding for community efforts to respond to the opioid crisis.
Residents with lived experience with the opioid crisis are encouraged to apply for 1 of 7 spots on the committee. That may include:

• People who have used one or more illicit opioids and who are currently in recovery.
• Individuals who use prescription opioids for chronic pain management.
• Family an​d friends who have been impacted by the opioid crisis.  

The county is also encouraging individuals to apply to represent health care and community partners on the committee. Health care includes clinics, hospitals, treatment and recovery centers, or other health care-related entities that support people with opioid use disorders. Community partners may represent schools, business or other organizations that support people with opioid use disorder.

The committee will have three health care members and three community partner representatives. County residency is not required for these seats, but the individuals must provide services to Dakota County residents.

The preferred deadline to apply for the committee is Friday, Aug. 4. For more information and to apply, visit the Opioid Response Advisory Committee page. The Dakota County Board of Commissioners will approve committee appointments.

The committee also will include four representatives of local government, including city staff, a police officers and a firefighter.