PHOTO: Brown County Sheriff's Office
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Fentanyl-related overdose deaths have dropped 22% nationwide over a single year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Fentanyl related overdose deaths in the U.S. dropped by about 10,000 from 2024 to 2025
The state of Wisconsin is also reporting a decline in synthetic opioid overdose deaths.
In the Wisconsin DHS’s latest numbers, statewide overdose deaths dropped from 1,422 in 2023 to 818 deaths in 2024, a 42.5% decrease.
“It just tells us that all of the investments that we are making are worth it, right? So it has been a lot of work. It has been a lot of time,” Wisconsin DHS Director of Substance Use Initiatives Michelle Haese said.
Haese said it is the steepest decline of overdose deaths in a single year the state has ever recorded.
Destigmatizing overdose reversal medication like Naloxone or Narcan, opioid use disorder medications, and work from first responders have all contributed to the drop.
Despite a drop in numbers, Haese said it’s important to stay vigilant.
“Some of this is not within our control. Local drug trends are not within our control, so we have to be as proactive and prepared to respond as we possibly can,” Haese said.
Northeast Wisconsin is also seeing a decline in opioid overdose deaths.
According to the Wisconsin DHS, Between 2022 and 2023 Brown County deaths dropped from 52 to 14.
Outagamie County’s went from 22 to 18 and Winnebago County overdose deaths fell from 29 to 11.
“We have seen a decrease in fentanyl related deaths, especially since 2020. 2020 was actually our highest percentage of overdose deaths at 73% had fentanyl within those overdose deaths,” Winnebago County Overdose Fatality Review Team Project Manager Jennifer Skolaski said.
Skolaski said law enforcement continues to seize fentanyl from the community.
She also said while fentanyl deaths have dropped, they’re seeing more cocaine and meth in the county.
“That’s why we’re always cautious to celebrate when we see decreases in numbers. Until that number is zero, we’re gonna keep fighting,” Skolaski said.
With the hope more awareness around the dangers of fentanyl and other drugs will create a safer community for all.
Resources for treatment and recovery are available if you are in need of help from the Wisconsin DHS.
Comments