State officials will present and gather input on the Minnesota State Substance Abuse Strategy at regional meetings in Duluth, Bemidji and Rochester this month.

Substance abuse and addiction inflict a devastating human and financial toll on Minnesota. In 2011 the impact of alcohol use alone cost the state over $500 billion. 

The first statewide plan to tackle substance abuse is designed to save lives and dollars by making prevention and treatment efforts more effective and efficient. It calls for coordination by state and local partners to address an increase in heroin and prescription opiate abuse in the short-term, as well as makes long-term recommendations that balance prevention, intervention, treatment, recovery support services, public safety and research to decrease all substance abuse and addiction.

Local leaders will join commissioners from the Departments of Human Services, Public Safety and Health on a panel to discuss the strategy at each regional meeting. 

One of the meetings will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 9 at Bemidji State University, Hobson Memorial Union.

Other meetings are planned Nov. 9 at Duluth and Nov. 14 in Rochester.