Knowing the Signs Can Help Prevent Drug Overdose Deaths
Today is International Overdose Awareness Day
Marking International Overdose Awareness Day, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) today called on state residents to take action to end drug overdose deaths by learning the signs of an overdose and how to respond. Different drugs require different medical interventions and responses. For example, naloxone is the proven method of reversing an opioid overdose but it does not work for a stimulant like cocaine, which requires reassuring the patient, putting them in a comfortable position, and making sure they don’t get overheated. All drug overdoses are a medical emergency. Call 911 if you suspect someone is experiencing a drug overdose.
“Drug overdose is a significant public health issue in Wisconsin, with devastating impacts on individuals, families, and communities,” said DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm. “Hundreds of people from all walks of life die or experience a permanent injury each year from a drug overdose in our state. These deaths and injuries are preventable and help is available.”
The #EndOverdose campaign has useful tips on how to recognize and respond to overdoses involving the following drugs:
- Depressants:(link is external) includes benzodiazepines, barbiturates
- Opioids:(link is external) includes oxycodone, morphine, codeine, heroin, fentanyl, methadone, and opium
- Stimulants:(link is external) includes amphetamines, cocaine, and ecstasy
According to the DHS Wisconsin Drug Overdose Death Dashboard, overdose deaths involving all drugs, excluding alcohol, increased by 10.5% in 2019, driven primarily by a nearly 10% increase in overdose deaths involving opioids.
There is evidence that the stress and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is contributing to more harmful drug use. Preliminary numbers show that suspected opioid overdose Emergency Department (ED) visits increased 41% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin compared to the same time period in 2019. There were 1,688 suspected opioid overdose ED visits from March through July of this year, compared to 1,196 suspected overdose visits during the same period in 2019.
“Taking care of yourself and others may be more challenging right now,” Palm said. “It is okay to ask for help. Help is available. Treatment for harmful drug use works. Recovery is possible.”
Those struggling with any type of drug use can call 211 for the Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline. Operated by 211 Wisconsin through a grant from DHS, this free and confidential service has handled nearly 10,000 calls since it launched in October 2018.
Resilient Wisconsin, a DHS effort launched in April to help Wisconsin residents find healthy ways to cope with life’s challenges, features a directory of other helplines, hotlines, and virtual support meetings for people struggling with any type of drug use.
To expand access to treatment services for harmful drug use, DHS will also be piloting a hub and spoke model to treating substance use disorders. This approach will link the expertise of regional addiction medicine specialists with local clinics and primary care providers to manage the individuals’ unique health and treatment needs and connect them with appropriate levels of care.
More about the Opioid Crisis
- A Medication Rescue for Opioid Overdoses - Corri Hess - Feb 22nd, 2021
- State Receives $10 million in Opioid Crisis Settlement - Jenny Peek - Feb 5th, 2021
- AG Kaul, Gov Evers Announce $573 Million Multistate Agreement with McKinsey & Company for “Turbocharging” the Opioid Epidemic with Purdue Pharma - Josh Kaul - Feb 4th, 2021
- Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Nearly $9 Million Awarded for Drug Treatment Services - Gov. Tony Evers - Jan 14th, 2021
- AG Kaul, Bipartisan AGs Push FDA to Examine Progress in Opioid Fight - Josh Kaul - Jan 11th, 2021
- Milwaukee County Surpasses Last Year’s Record Overdose Deaths - Edgar Mendez - Nov 27th, 2020
- Overdose Responders Struggle Against Rising Deaths - Edgar Mendez - Nov 20th, 2020
- Wisconsin Drug Take Back Collection 1st in the Country; Collects Nearly 90,000 lbs. of Unwanted Medications to Fight the Opioid Epidemic - Josh Kaul - Nov 9th, 2020
- Gov. Evers, DSPS Secretary-designee Crim Announce Wisconsin Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Awarded Nearly $2 Million Grant - Gov. Tony Evers - Nov 2nd, 2020
- AG Kaul Announces Updated Settlement with Opioid Manufacturer Mallinckrodt - Josh Kaul - Oct 13th, 2020
Read more about Opioid Crisis here
Recent Press Releases by Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Wisconsin Receives 988 State Planning Grant
Feb 12th, 2021 by Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesFunding to be used to prepare Wisconsin for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s 988 calling code, effective July 2022
Wisconsin Expands Medicaid Coverage of Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Members
Jan 29th, 2021 by Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesNew benefit becomes effective on February 1, 2021