iHeartMedia Milwaukee’s V100.7 and Personality Reggie Brown Takes Part in Campaign to Stem Overdose Deaths in Black Communities

MILWAUKEE – August 23, 2023 – iHeartMedia Milwaukee personality Reggie Brown, V100.7 afternoon drive host, will take part in “DJs Against Overdose,” a months-long campaign with Vital Strategies to stem the rising tide of overdose deaths in the Black community. The campaign will urge audiences to take action in their community and promotes the use of naloxone, an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose.

“Finally, the word is getting out about this lifesaver, Naloxone,” said Reggie Brown. “I’ve seen firsthand what these opioids can do to people.  Especially in my community, the Black community. Thankfully, Naloxone is now available to the public at Milwaukee Fire Stations and other locations for free, no questions asked, to save the life of someone in need. I am grateful to be working with Vital Strategies to spread the word about Naloxone to help save lives. Get, Give, Save.”

Throughout the campaign, employing top personalities across the city, Brown will encourage listeners to get naloxone free of charge through the City of Milwaukee Office of African American Affairs, any fire station and grassroots organizations such as Samad’s House. Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is a safe and easy-to-use medication that rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, including respiratory depression. Most importantly, naloxone is proven to save lives and drastically reduce incidents of fatal overdose.

In the United States, overdose is now the leading cause of death among people under 50 and overdose deaths are rising most rapidly in the Black community. Fatal overdoses among Black people in Milwaukee County increased by 52% between 2020 and 2021, the highest rate of increase of any racial group.

“Our community is being devastated by overdose. In 2021, the overdose mortality rate in Wisconsin for Black people was more than double the national rate and overdose for Black Wisconsinites increased ninefold from 2001 to 2021,” said Darryl Davidson, Director of the City of Milwaukee Office of African American Affairs. “Working with local and trusted radio hosts can help bring overdose awareness and prevention to Black communities and ultimately save lives.”

iHeartMedia is the leading media outlet in the Milwaukee market with multiple platforms, including its broadcast stations; live events; data; and its digital businesses and platforms, including mobile, social and its own iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia’s free all-in-one digital music, podcasting and live streaming radio service – with more than 3 billion app downloads and more than 160 million registered users.

About iHeartMedia

iHeartMedia Milwaukee owns and operates WISN-AM, WKKV-FM, WMIL-FM, WRIT-FM, WRNW-FM, WOKY-AM, and is part of iHeartMedia. iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, reaching over 90% of Americans every month, and has a portfolio of unmatched consumer brands and industry-leading events. iHeart’s broadcast radio assets alone have more consumer reach in the U.S. than any other media outlet; twice the reach of the next largest broadcast radio company; and over four times the ad-enabled reach of the largest digital only audio service. iHeart is the largest podcast publisher according to Podtrac, with more downloads than the next four podcast publishers combined; has the number one social footprint among audio players, with seven times more followers than the next audio media brand; and is the only fully integrated audio ad tech solution across broadcast, streaming and podcasts.  The company continues to leverage its strong audience connection and unparalleled consumer reach to build new platforms, products and services. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.