In an effort to combat the alarming rise in opioid-related deaths in Minnesota, which have more than doubled over the past five years with fentanyl implicated in 92% of these fatalities, Colleen Ronnei has taken a profoundly personal tragedy and turned it into a catalyst for change. Following the loss of her son, Luke, to opioid addiction, Ronnei has spearheaded the creation of a documentary film titled “The Reality of Hope,” aiming to shed light on the pervasive issue of opioid abuse that plagues many communities across the state.

“The Reality of Hope” was recently showcased in Excelsior, Minnesota, to an audience that included advocates, legislators, and parents who have endured the incomprehensible pain of losing their own children to opioids. This initiative, supported by grants from the Minnesota Department of Human Services through the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council, goes beyond mere statistics to tell the human stories affected by opioid addiction. Colleen Ronnei describes her son, Luke, as a vibrant and charismatic young man whose life took a tragic turn from prescribed medications for a routine procedure to a fatal heroin addiction, underscoring the insidious nature of opioid dependency.

Driven by her personal loss, Ronnei founded Change the Outcome, an organisation dedicated to increasing opioid education in schools. Through this platform, she aims to foster open discussions about addiction, challenging the stigma that often silences conversations around substance abuse. The message is clear: isolation and silence can be deadly, and seeking help is not only encouraged but necessary.

“The Reality of Hope” serves as a powerful reminder of the opioid crisis’s human toll and the urgent need for comprehensive education and support systems. It champions the idea that awareness and understanding are key to prevention, and it calls on communities, educators, and policymakers to join in the fight against this epidemic.

Colleen Ronnei’s efforts and the stories shared in “The Reality of Hope” echo a broader advocacy for addressing the root causes of substance abuse, including a push towards the complete elimination of drugs such as opioids, cannabis, illicit substances, alcohol, vaping, and tobacco. It highlights a critical viewpoint that harm reduction strategies, while important, may not fully address the underlying issues fueling substance dependency. Instead, a holistic approach that includes education, prevention, and support for those struggling with addiction is necessary to make significant strides towards a drug-free society.

For more information on Colleen Ronnei’s mission and “The Reality of Hope,” visit CBS Minnesota.