Minnesota Groups Help Karen Youth Access Opioid Care

Published: 10/28/2026 | Author: Courtney Myers

Get Help Now 800-934-1582 Sponsored

Community organizations in St Paul are teaming up opioid addiction treatment with mentorship, transportation and cultural support for Karen and Karenni youth. As a result, local staff report fewer young people experiencing overdoses. Even though Minnesota boasts a wide range of programs to combat addictions, from inpatient care to local Narcotics Anonymous chapters, locals need more help. Far too many young people slip through the cracks.

Opioid Addiction Affected Karen Youth

A rise in opioid addiction among Karen and Karenni young people during the COVID-19 pandemic was followed by arrests, overdoses and deaths. Alice Buckner, executive director of the Karen Organization of Minnesota, noted bullying and pressure to join gangs were among the school experiences that could expose teens to fentanyl or, more recently, kratom.

Minnesota is home to the country’s largest Karen population, estimated by some at as many as 20,000 people, with the greatest concentration in the Twin Cities. Indeed, many families resettled after fleeing oppression in Myanmar and spending years in refugee camps in Thailand. Their children now navigate bicultural identities alongside the same drug risks facing other adolescents.

Low-Barrier Treatment at Fairview Roselawn

Fairview Roselawn Clinic created a drop-in program after physicians and staff began hearing about rising opioid use among young people in 2020. The program offers buprenorphine to curb opioid cravings with as few access barriers as possible.

Accordingly, a partnership with the Karen Organization of Minnesota helped connect young people to the clinic. Case managers told clients about the service and drove those without transportation to appointments. Repeated contact allowed staff to help with medications and mental health support related to substance use disorders.

The clinic has seen its numbers drop and now has patients who have remained stable for years and return for follow-ups. Lah Pwee, a Karen cultural broker who works through the Karen organization’s office, also helps community members navigate MNsure, WIC and the health system. She reported fewer referrals for young Karen patients with opioid use disorder, while cautioning that the recent ICE operations also reduced clinic visits.

Culture & Consistency Around Treatment

The Urban Village offers tutoring, social-emotional skill-building, outdoor activities and mentorship. It teams up with schools and the St Paul Police Department so young people who encounter law enforcement can be transferred into its mentorship program.

The Wilder Foundation created ThayGeMoo, or The Living Root, for students in grades 6-12 and their parents at Washington Technology Magnet School. Students and parents who participated for 3-12 months found improvements in behavior and social-emotional well-being along with changes in how families discussed mental health and opioids.

A Weaving Circle at the East Side Freedom Library encourages young people to learn from Karen elders and build cultural connections. A stronger connection to shared identity can reduce reliance on outside validation that may contribute to substance abuse.

Officials credited repeated personal contact rather than a single intervention. Community leaders also warned that funding cuts, stigma, misinformation and stress from immigration enforcement could reverse the progress.

NA Open to All

Culturally sensitive groups also welcome Karen and other youths from all backgrounds. Local Narcotics Anonymous chapters bring neighbors together for camaraderie and emotional support through good times and bad. It’s free and open to all.

Getting started is simple. Browse our directory to find NA meetings anywhere in the country. You can also call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) to discuss opioid addiction treatment options alongside an expert.