Milwaukee County Overdose Prevention Team to Host “Back to Life, Back to Love” Event
Milwaukee County’s Better Ways To Cope to Host Back to Life, Back to Love Celebration to Create Connection Among Those Impacted by the Opioid Epidemic
MILWAUKEE — On Friday, August 22, 2025, Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Aging & Disabilities Services’ BetterWaysToCope.org initiative will host the Back to Life, Back to Love Celebration, a free community gathering uplifting recovery, wellness, and resilience amid the devastating opioid epidemic. The event will run from 11 AM to 2 PM at 720 N. 29th St..
A Crisis That Demands Community Response
Opioid-related deaths remain one of Milwaukee County’s most urgent public health challenges. In 2023 alone, there were 668 overdose deaths in Milwaukee County, with fentanyl present in nearly 90% of those deaths. Across Wisconsin, overdose fatalities now outpace car accidents and homicides combined. The epidemic cuts across age, race, and neighborhood lines, but it disproportionately impacts Black residents, men ages 25–54, and older adults living with chronic health conditions. Every overdose reverberates across families, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods, creating a cycle of trauma that requires not just clinical care, but community connection.
“Too many families in Milwaukee County have lost loved ones to the opioid crisis,” said Ricky Person, Opioid Prevention Coordinator at Milwaukee County. “Events like Back to Life, Back to Love give people hope. They create spaces where recovery is celebrated, resources are shared, and stigma is replaced with support.”
What to Expect
The Back to Life, Back to Love Celebration will blend joy, wellness, and resources into a single community space. Highlights include:
● Free food from local vendors
● Live music and entertainment throughout the afternoon
● A Kid Zone with safe activities for families
● A comprehensive community resource fair, connecting attendees to treatment, recovery, and wellness supports
● The “Real Talk Tent,” a safe space for open conversation about addiction, recovery, and resilience
● Giveaways, including back-to-school supplies for children while supplies last
Why This Matters
For Milwaukee County, recovery is not just an individual journey—it is a public health and social justice imperative. According to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office, drug overdose is now the leading cause of death for residents under 50. The ripple effects extend beyond health, contributing to rising foster care placements, housing instability, and economic loss.
By offering food, fun, and fellowship alongside critical information and recovery supports, the event models what a trauma-informed, whole-community approach looks like in practice.
Event Details
Date: Friday, August 22, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: 720 N. 29th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53208
Cost: Free (registration encouraged)
Register here: https://backtolife.eventbrite.com/
About the Organizers
Milwaukee County DHHS Aging & Disabilities Services provides programs that promote health, safety, and dignity for residents across the lifespan, with a strong focus on recovery, prevention, and equity.
BetterWaysToCope.org is a county-led initiative dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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