Published: 07/10/2026 | Author: Eric Owens

Wisconsin residents are seeing a sharp decline in overdose deaths after years of record losses. The downward trend offers cautious hope to people affected by opioid addiction and the communities working to fight it. 

Overdose deaths in the state hit a record high of 1,830 in 2022, then fell more than 35% by 2024, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. In Milwaukee County, deaths peaked at 674 in 2022 and have dropped every year since.

The drop comes as millions of dollars from a national settlement against drug makers and distributors have flowed into local drug resistance programs. The state expects to receive nearly $800 million through 2038, split between the state and 87 local governments. The funds supplement The Badger State’s abundance of inpatient services and local grassroots community efforts like Narcotics Anonymous have made a large impact in reducing the death toll.

A Turnaround After Record Highs

State officials point to no single cause. Michelle Haese is director of substance use initiatives at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. She described the decline in deaths as the apex of years of effort. “This is a public health ecosystem working as intended,” she reported. Haese added that the state is cautiously hopeful but that there is still a long way to go.

Communities have expanded access to naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal medication, and worked to connect more people to treatment and share information about available resources. This approach has worked; Wisconsin’s decline in deaths statewide mirrors a national trend that started in 2023 and continues today.

Fentanyl’s Role in the Crisis

The gains follow a decade of rising deaths driven largely by synthetic opioids like fentanyl. This illicit opioid is often found in other substances such as cocaine, heroin and counterfeit pills, and officials note that many victims had no idea they were taking it. Understanding that risk is central to harm reduction because a person may be exposed to fentanyl blends without ever intending to use an opioid.

That’s where harm reduction comes in. In addition to naloxone, fentanyl test strips can help folks check a substance before use. These tools don’t replace treatment, but they keep people alive long enough to reach it.

Treatment & Care for Opioid Addiction

Medications for opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone, can help people reduce or stop opioid use, and state officials cited their expanded availability as part of the progress. Recovery is rarely a single step, and many people combine medication with counseling and peer support.

Many people on the path to recovery begin by signing up with their local Narcotics Anonymous chapter. These meetings offer free, judgment-free peer support no matter your background or life circumstances. These in-person and online formats complement medical treatment rather than compete with it.

Starting with NA

Finding your local NA chapter is simple. There are meetings across Wisconsin and nationwide, along with opioid treatment resources. Call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) for opioid addiction treatment options at any time or browse our directory to locate an NA site in any community.