Wisconsin Fentanyl Overdose Deaths Plunge 42.5% in Record Single-Year Decline

Fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Wisconsin dropped by a record 42.5% in a single year, falling from 1,422 fatalities in 2023 to 818 in 2024, according to data released by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The decline represents the steepest single-year reduction in synthetic opioid mortality the state has ever recorded, arriving as national data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows fentanyl deaths falling 22% nationwide.

The Wisconsin data translates to roughly 600 fewer deaths from synthetic opioids in 2024 compared to the previous year, a reduction that state health officials attribute to years of investment in harm reduction infrastructure, expanded access to medication-assisted treatment, and growing public awareness about overdose reversal medications.

A milestone in harm reduction effectiveness

Wisconsin DHS Director of Substance Use Initiatives Michelle Haese called the decline validation that "all of the investments that we are making are worth it." In an interview with FOX 11 Wisconsin, Haese emphasized the sustained effort required to achieve such results: "It has been a lot of work. It has been a lot of time."

The state's progress mirrors a broader national trend. According to CDC data, approximately 10,000 fewer Americans died from fentanyl-related overdoses in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the third consecutive year of declining overdose mortality nationwide. The 22% national reduction in fentanyl deaths comes as communities across the country have scaled up naloxone distribution, expanded treatment access, and adapted public health responses to the realities of the synthetic opioid era.

Regional variations show localized success

Northeast Wisconsin communities have seen particularly dramatic improvements. Brown County fentanyl deaths fell from 52 in 2022 to 14 in 2023—a 73% reduction. Outagamie County saw deaths decline from 22 to 18 during the same period, while Winnebago County experienced a 62% drop from 29 deaths to 11.

Jennifer Skolaski, project manager for the Winnebago County Overdose Fatality Review Team, traced the county's progress back to 2020, when fentanyl was involved in 73% of all overdose deaths—the highest percentage on record. "We have seen a decrease in fentanyl related deaths, especially since 2020," Skolaski said, while noting that law enforcement continues to seize fentanyl from the community, indicating the drug remains present even as fatalities decline.

Destigmatization drives naloxone adoption

Both state and local officials point to destigmatization of naloxone—sold under the brand name Narcan—as a critical factor in reducing fatalities. Wisconsin has invested heavily in making the overdose reversal medication available through community organizations, first responders, and increasingly through vending machines and retail distribution.

The cultural shift around carrying and using naloxone has transformed it from a specialized medical intervention to a commonplace public health tool. Training programs have expanded beyond traditional first responders to include family members, employers, librarians, and anyone who might encounter someone experiencing an overdose. This democratization of overdose response means more reversals happen before emergency medical services arrive.

Treatment access and evolving drug trends

Expanded access to buprenorphine and methadone for opioid use disorder has also contributed to the mortality decline, as has the growth of peer support specialists who connect people with treatment resources. Wisconsin's deployment of opioid settlement funds—approximately $794 million expected through 2038—has built infrastructure that did not exist five years ago, including mobile treatment units, recovery housing, and jail-based medication programs.

However, Skolaski cautioned that declining fentanyl deaths do not signal the end of the drug crisis. Winnebago County is seeing increased prevalence of cocaine and methamphetamine, substances that carry their own overdose risks and complicate treatment approaches. "That's why we're always cautious to celebrate when we see decreases in numbers," she said. "Until that number is zero, we're gonna keep fighting."

Sustaining progress amid uncertainty

Haese emphasized that local drug trends remain beyond the control of public health agencies, requiring constant vigilance and adaptive responses. "Some of this is not within our control," she noted. "Local drug trends are not within our control, so we have to be as proactive and prepared to respond as we possibly can."

The uncertainty extends to federal policy. Changes to SAMHSA funding under the Trump administration have restricted support for certain harm reduction approaches, including fentanyl test strips, threatening tools that Wisconsin communities have credited with reducing mortality. State officials say they are working to backfill federal reductions with settlement funds, but the long-term sustainability of harm reduction infrastructure remains uncertain.

Looking ahead

Wisconsin's record 42.5% decline in fentanyl deaths demonstrates that even in the era of ultra-potent synthetic opioids, mortality can be reduced through sustained public health investment. The state's experience joins similar success stories in Manatee County, Florida, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and Wayne County, Michigan, suggesting that coordinated intervention can bend the mortality curve even as the drug supply continues to evolve.

For Wisconsin residents seeking help, the Department of Health Services maintains resources for treatment and recovery services accessible online or through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.