Dose of Reality: Opioids in Wisconsin

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Wisconsin's opioid epidemic affects all genders, all races, and many age groups in both rural and urban communities. In 2021, the latest full year of data available, there were 1,427 deaths in Wisconsin related to opioids.
 

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