(WLUK) -- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is marking International Overdose Awareness Day with new investments to reduce drug overdose deaths.
International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31, is an annual observance to remember those lost to drug overdose, acknowledge the grief of family and friends and act to save lives.
"Too many of our family members, friends, and neighbors are dying due to an unsafe drug supply, with no community immune to the impacts of the overdose epidemic," said DHS Director of Substance Use Initiatives Michelle Haese. "Together we can make a difference by meeting people who use drugs where they're at in their life journey without judgement, just the support and tools they need to stay safe."
Drug overdoses decreased slightly nationally and in Wisconsin in 2023, the first decrease since 2018. Despite this, more than 1,700 fatal drug overdoses occurred in Wisconsin in 2023, an increase of 45% since 2018. Most overdoses involve fentanyl, a powerful opioid, and other drugs, like cocaine and methamphetamine, or a combination of multiple drugs.
This month, DHS is working with community agencies statewide to ensure naloxone is available for free to people who need it when they need it. Naloxone is the opioid overdose reversal medication. Naloxone distributors have attended regional meetings focused on identifying and addressing opportunities for greater naloxone access for people who use drugs and people who may witness a drug overdose.
Twenty-two community agencies received grants to purchase public health vending machines stocked with the free lifesaving tools like naloxone and fentanyl test strips.
The grantees include three from Northeast Wisconsin:
More than 80 locations across the state are expected to have a public health vending machine when the units funded by the grants announced today are placed, with many locations open to the public 24/7.
In addition, seven community agencies received annual grants through 2028 to expand or establish navigator programs that connect people who use drugs to services designed to lessen the harms associated with drug use. These services may include programs offering drug checking supplies, syringe services, wound care, and substance use disorder treatment. The grantees include: