Minnesota Agencies

The purposes of the subcabinet are to identify: challenges that exist within state government that create silos around addiction, treatment, prevention, and recovery; that limit access to treatment options or addiction-related services for all Minnesotans; and that prevent successful treatment outcomes; opportunities that exist within state government that support accessible and effective substance use disorder treatment options or addiction-related services; barriers and gaps in service for all Minnesotans seeking treatment for opioid or substance use disorder, particularly those barriers and gaps affecting members of communities disproportionately impacted by substance use and addiction; potential solutions to barriers and gaps identified in clause (3); how the state can address addiction as a chronic disease, emphasizing that there are multiple ways to enter sobriety; and policies and strategies that address prevention efforts, including addressing underlying causes of addiction and public awareness and education around the dangers of issues including but not limited to opioid abuse, use of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, other substance use, excessive alcohol consumption, and addiction.

The subcabinet was first established by Governor Walz in April 2022 via Executive Order 22-07.

Later that year, the Legislature codified the provisions of Executive Order 22-07 in Laws of Minnesota 2022, chap. 98, art. 6, sec. 1. Gov. Walz then issued Executive Order 22-14, rescinding the executive order that had first established the subcabinet, in light of the fact that the subcabinet was now codified in law.

The Governor's Advisory Council on Opioids, Substance Use, and Addiction was also established in Executive Order 22-07 and it's purpose was to advise the subcabinet in its duties. It was also codified in law by the Legislature in 2022.

The members of the subcabinet are the Commissioner, Executive Director, or Chair of the following agencies and council:

• Department of Human Services
• Department of Health
• Department of Education
• Department of Public Safety
• Department of Corrections
• Minnesota Management and Budget
• Office of Higher Education
• Interagency Council on Homelessness
• Addiction and Recovery Director

The Governor’s Addiction and Recovery Director will serve as Chair of the subcabinet.