Resources in
Wisconsin
In 2020, there were 1,531 identified overdose deaths in Wisconsin.
If you are a person who uses drugs or if you are around people who use drugs, please consider learning how to respond to an opioid overdose and carrying naloxone (intranasal brand name: Narcan). Naloxone is a medication designed to reverse an opioid overdose. Opioids slow down the activity of the central nervous system. This can cause slowed or stopped breathing which may lead to death. Naloxone displaces the opioids from the opioid receptors in the brain which allows the person who is experiencing an opioid overdose to begin breathing normally. We have a helpful FAQ and are constantly updating it with questions from our site visitors. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, let us know.
Have NAloxone Mailed to You
If you are a person who uses drugs, have been recently released from jail or prison, or if you are a friend, family member, or partner of of someone who may be at high-risk for an opioid overdose, you can have naloxone discretely mailed to you at no cost. This service is thanks to our partnership with Gwayakobimaadiziwin / Bad River Harm Reduction.
GET FENTANYL TEST STRIPS MAILED TO YOU
Free fentanyl test strips are available by mail to residents of Wisconsin. Test strips are an excellent tool but need to be part of an overall harm reduction strategy. Use this button if you already have naloxone. Choose Request Naloxone above if you would like naloxone and fentanyl test strips.
PHARMACY-BASED NALOXONE ACCESS
Use this locator to find a pharmacy in your area that provides naloxone distribution. Each location includes the name of the pharmacy, hours of operation, and a phone number. Call ahead with your insurance details to request information about your co-pay. No prescription required.
WISCONSIN DHS
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services provides mobile syringe services including naloxone and test strips, harm reduction programming and technical assistance, linkage to community resources.
The Harm Reduction Response Team can be reached at DHSDPHHarmReduction@wisconsin.gov or by calling (608) 264-8108
Mail-based Syringe Access Service
Through a partnership with Gwayakobimaadiziwin / Bad River Harm Reduction, individuals who use drugs in the state of Wisconsin who can’t get harm reduction materials in-person are able to have them discretely mailed to them.
in- person SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
Use this searchable social service program map from 211Wisconsin.org to find syringe exchange programs in Wisconsin.
RECOVERY HELPLINE
Wisconsin’s Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can utilize helpline services through text, chat, and voice options. Their website includes a service locator including naloxone, syringe exchange, support groups, and much more.
DOSE OF REALITY
The Dose of Reality website focuses on preventing prescription painkiller abuse in the state of Wisconsin. The website provides some good resources about how to talk about misusing prescription drugs although not particularly helpful for people who misuse prescription drugs themselves.
WISCONSIN’S GOOD SAMARITAN LAW
Wisconsin’s overdose Good Samaritan law grants limited immunity from criminal prosecution for an individual who seeks assistance for a person experiencing an overdose.
DRUG USER ORGANIZING
The Urban Survivors Union is a national drug users union mobilizing against the war on drugs. Check out their wealth of resources including #reframetheblame a campaign against drug induced homicide laws.
PULSE is a burgeoning drug user union located in Wisconsin. Anyone in the state may take part in reoccurring meetings via Zoom.