Will the community support continue?
In Minnesota, significant racial disparities exist in drug-related arrests and substance use disorder outcomes. Black individuals are disproportionately affected, being 5.4 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession compared to their white counterparts despite similar usage rates.
Additionally, the African American population, which represents 7% of Minnesota’s total population, accounts for 13% of all drug overdose deaths.
Organizations like the Twin Cities Recovery Project (TCRP) are working to change this narrative by offering resources tailored to the needs of these communities. Karissa Mariee, COO of the TCRP, highlighted their commitment to removing financial barriers that often prevent people of color from entering the field of recovery work.
“We offer a peer recovery specialist training for all individuals,” said Mariee. “However, it is of no charge to Black and brown individuals. That allows them to get certified through the Minnesota Certification Board. And then they can become certified peer recovery specialists.”
TCRP embraces means of keeping individuals safe while they navigate their journey with substance use. Mariee explained, “We believe in harm reduction. We do outreach. And we also have supplies where people can stop in and pick up.
“We’re not a syringe exchange, but we do also clean syringes and different supplies because we believe in keeping people safe. And at some point, if [people] decide that they’re ready for recovery, they’re going to come back to us for that help because they’re going to feel that bond with us.”
The organization’s work extends into encampments, offering vital resources to individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction. Mariee noted, “So primarily our focus is Black and brown. Most of our staff are brown, of color, Black, and most, 99% of our staff, are also people in long-term recovery. So we literally have walked in the shoes of people who need long-term services.
“We go into the encampments and offer resources. People can stop in and get resources. It’s anybody who suffers from addiction.”
Despite their essential work, organizations like TCRP face uncertainty due to shifts in political and funding landscapes. Mariee expressed concern, saying, “Because the change is every day, I don’t know what to expect. However, it’s scary because our work is heavily grant-funded and the climate of the language and all the things, it is scary because I don’t know what’s in it for us.”
As federal and state funding structures change, organizations serving Black and brown communities are particularly vulnerable. Mariee added, “We also are going to be affected by all the racism because we are a Black organization.”
Kathryn Hogan, a mental health housing and supportive housing case manager, shared her personal journey through addiction and recovery. She recounted, “I was in active addiction through my 20s, 30s, and 40s. Cocaine, alcohol and marijuana.
“But my journey changed three years ago. I got tired of the lifestyle and everything that came with it — the health problems, the mental health issues, the depression, the anxiety, the paranoia. I just got tired of the whole lifestyle.”
Hogan’s road to recovery mirrored the journey of many who have found hope and healing through the programs offered by TCRP, which provided structured support to help her regain stability. Today, she is pursuing a master’s degree in alcohol and drug counseling focusing on mental health at Metro State University.
She explained, “I wanted to become a counselor to help people get off drugs and alcohol. It definitely is a correlation to my experience. I want to bring that to other people so they can have hope to stop using.”
For Hogan, recovery meant rebuilding relationships and finding new purpose. She noted, “My mental health improved. I started to have a clear mind. Everything improved. My whole outlook on life improved. My depression improved and — or went away. I don’t feel depressed anymore. My anxiety is not there. So my mental health definitely improved.”
The work of organizations like TCRP and individuals like Hogan illustrates the urgent need for equitable addiction recovery services in Black and brown communities. Harm reduction strategies, peer support, and lived experience-based care models are essential to combating the crisis. However, sustainable funding and policy changes must ensure these services remain available.
With racial disparities in addiction treatment persisting, it is imperative that community members, advocates, and policymakers work together to dismantle systemic barriers and create lasting change. The fight for equitable recovery cannot be just about saving lives; it’s about affirming the right of Black and brown individuals to access the support and care they deserve.
