Dose of Reality: Opioids in Wisconsin

Dose of Reality: Prevent opioid harm. It starts with real talks.

Opioids are powerful drugs. Prescription pain relievers, fentanyl, and heroin hurt Wisconsin residents every day. More people die of opioid overdoses in Wisconsin each year than car crashes. But there is something more powerful than opioids: All of us. Together, we can reduce the dangers of opioids and their impact on our communities.

Opioid settlement funds
See updates on our work related to opioid settlement funds

 

Understand opioids

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When you know about opioids and their impact on your family, friends, and communities, you can have more effective real talks.

Start talking

Three people talking on a porch

Real talks are open and honest conversations. Talking with the people in your life about opioids can be awkward, but it is one of the most important things you can do for them.

Use safely

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Opioids can harm you. There are steps that can be taken to reduce the harms you or someone you love may experience when using opioids.

Get rid of unused drugs

Drug disposal box

Safely disposing of unused and expired medications helps protect the people around you and your environment. There are many safe disposal options available to everyone throughout Wisconsin.

Respond to an overdose

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Anyone who use opioids can experience an overdose at any time. When a person survives an opioid overdose, it’s because someone knew what was happening and how to take action.

Get help

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Opioid use disorder is a medical condition that can affect anyone who uses opioids. Wherever you or someone you care about may be in a struggle with opioids, there are people ready to help. In Wisconsin, no one is alone in their journey to overcome opioid use disorder.

Understand best practices

Person holding a pill bottle

Pharmacists, prescribers, and other professionals are key partners in safely managing prescriptions, increasing access to medication that reverses an opioid overdose, and offering high-quality treatment to people with an opioid use disorder.

Review data

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Wisconsin's opioid epidemic affects all genders, all races, and many age groups in both rural and urban communities.

Share materials

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Glossary

 
Last revised October 1, 2024