Wisconsin is reversing one of its deadliest public health crises. After overdose deaths hit a record 1,830 in 2022, the state has seen a sharp decline, dropping to 1,185 in 2024, a 35% decrease in just two years. This turnaround comes as millions of dollars from a national settlement against drug manufacturers and distributors have poured into communities across the state to address the opioid epidemic, funding everything from harm reduction supplies to residential treatment programs.

Why Are Overdose Deaths Finally Declining in Wisconsin?

The decline isn't the result of a single intervention. Instead, state officials point to what they call a "public health ecosystem working as intended," combining multiple strategies that address different aspects of addiction and recovery. Michelle Haese, director of substance use initiatives at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, explained that the state has invested in a layered approach that tackles both immediate overdose risk and long-term recovery needs.

The key drivers of Wisconsin's progress include:

• Naloxone Distribution: Expanded access to naloxone (also known as Narcan), an opioid overdose reversal medication, has made it easier for people to reverse overdoses in real time. Communities across Wisconsin have distributed naloxone through harm reduction programs, vending machines, and street outreach teams.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment: More people are receiving medications for opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone, which help people stop or reduce opioid use.
• Residential Recovery Programs: Facilities like Serenity Inns in Milwaukee provide structured inpatient treatment, transitional housing, and alumni support, allowing people to stay engaged in recovery for extended periods.
• Street-Level Outreach: Peer support specialists and harm reduction workers are actively engaging people struggling with addiction in their communities, building trust and connecting them to resources.

Fentanyl's proliferation has made this work more urgent. The synthetic opioid is often mixed into other drugs like cocaine, heroin, and counterfeit pills without users' knowledge, making overdoses more likely and more deadly. Wisconsin saw overdose deaths climb sharply during the pandemic, which accelerated the crisis through increased isolation and stress.

How Are Recovery Programs Helping People Stay Sober Long-Term?

Shawn Kress, a Milwaukee resident who struggled with addiction for decades, illustrates how comprehensive treatment works. After losing his brother to an overdose and hitting rock bottom living in his car at a park and ride, Kress decided to seek help. He entered a detox center and then spent about 70 days at Serenity Inns, a residential treatment facility.

At Serenity Inns, residents follow a structured daily schedule that includes multiple therapy sessions, physical activity, and medication support. Kenneth Ginlack, CEO of Serenity Inns, explained the program's approach: "A lot of times individuals can stop using or drinking and using drugs, however, if they don't address the trauma and some of the childhood things that they may have held on to, then they're more likely to relapse".

Kenneth Ginlack, CEO of Serenity Inns

"A lot of times individuals can stop using or drinking and using drugs, however, if they don't address the trauma and some of the childhood things that they may have held on to, then they're more likely to relapse," said Kenneth Ginlack, president and CEO of Serenity Inns.

Kenneth Ginlack, President and CEO of Serenity Inns

The program's structure includes three to four group therapy sessions daily, individual counseling with counselors who are themselves in recovery, and medication like buprenorphine to reduce cravings. After completing the residential phase, residents can transition to a nearby transitional living house for four to six months, then move to an alumni apartment building where they can stay for up to a year with ongoing weekly group therapy.

Kress was prescribed buprenorphine during his stay, which he credits with helping him manage cravings. He completed the program and is now a certified peer support specialist at Serenity Inns, introducing newcomers to the program and showing them that recovery is possible. "I go and I introduce the program to newcomers that are very new, coming in off the streets and showing them that I'm one of the individuals that successfully completed the program," he said.

What Makes Wisconsin's Approach Different?

One critical aspect of Wisconsin's success is removing financial barriers to treatment. Ginlack noted that Serenity Inns does not deny treatment to people without insurance, recognizing that many struggling with addiction have lost their jobs and coverage. This commitment reflects a broader shift in how the state views addiction: not as a moral failing or criminal issue, but as a medical condition requiring compassionate care.

The state's approach also acknowledges that recovery is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. Facilities like Serenity Inns hold onto residents for extended periods, ensuring they're stable in their recovery before returning to the community. This contrasts with shorter-term interventions that may not address underlying trauma or provide enough support to prevent relapse.

Kress emphasized the importance of boots-on-the-ground work: "The reason that I think the overdoses are starting to decline is because of the boots on the ground. We have resources now that are actually getting into the streets". This means peer support specialists, harm reduction workers, and treatment providers are actively meeting people where they are, building relationships, and offering pathways to recovery.

Kress

Is This Progress Sustainable?

While Wisconsin's decline is encouraging, state officials remain cautiously optimistic. Michelle Haese noted that "there's still a long ways to go, we're cautiously hopeful, but we're definitely seeing signs of this turning around". The national trend supports this optimism: the age-adjusted drug overdose death rate fell 26.2% from 2023 to 2024 across the United States, suggesting that coordinated public health efforts are working nationwide.

Michelle Haese

However, the work is far from finished. Wisconsin's overdose deaths in 2024 still represent a significant public health challenge, and the state continues to grapple with fentanyl's presence in the drug supply. The success seen so far depends on sustained funding, continued investment in treatment infrastructure, and ongoing commitment to treating addiction as a public health issue rather than a criminal one.

For people like Shawn Kress, the availability of comprehensive treatment and peer support has been life-changing. After more than 14 months of sobriety, he's helping others find the same path. His story reflects what Wisconsin's public health ecosystem is designed to achieve: not just preventing overdose deaths, but helping people rebuild their lives and reconnect with their families and communities.