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Harm Reduction & Prevention
Harm Reduction and Drug & Opioid Overdoses
Drug overdoses, especially those involving opioids like fentanyl and heroin, are a growing public health crisis in Racine and across the United States. These powerful drugs have led to a sharp rise in overdose deaths, straining local healthcare, law enforcement, and support systems. The widespread presence of fentanyl, often mixed with other substances, makes drug use increasingly dangerous and deadly. Addressing this crisis requires urgent action, including access to treatment, harm reduction efforts, and public education.
Drug and Opioid Overdoses
The drug and opioid overdose epidemic continues to be a public health crisis both locally and nationally. In the United States:
- Six times as many individuals died from a drug overdose in 2021 compared to 1999.
- Nearly 107,000 people died of a drug overdose death in 2021, and over 75% of those deaths involved an opioid.
National and Wisconsin Data and Resources
Dose of Reality | WI Department of Health Services
Drug Overdose Data | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The City of Racine is experiencing similar trends in drug and opioid overdoses when compared to Racine County, Wisconsin, and the United States as a whole.
From 2020 through 2023 in the City of Racine:
- At least 112 individuals lost their life to a drug overdose.
- Of those 112 deaths, 86% (or 96 people) died due to an opioid.
- More than 95% of opioid-related deaths specifically involved fentanyl. That is 91 lives lost due at least in part to fentanyl.
- The annual total of opioid-related deaths increased by more than 93%. Fentanyl-involved deaths increased by over 130% over the same time period.
What Is Being Done
The Public Health Department and other local partners have a number of initiatives underway to combat the opioid epidemic and prevent drug and opioid overdose deaths in our community. They include:
- Narcan distribution through:
- Harm Reduction Program
- Public Health Vending Machine
- Mail Me Narcan
- Group and community programs and organizations
- Safe Medication Disposal Dropboxes Click Here
- Overdose Fatality Review Team
If you are affiliated with a business, church, non-profit, or other community group and feel that a presentation about opioid overdoses and the use of Narcan or the distribution of Narcan through your organization would be beneficial, contact the Public Health Department at PublicHealth@cityofracine.org or 262-636-9201
Public Health Vending Machine
The Public Health Department operates Public Health Vending Machines to provide greater access to free, lifesaving Narcan and other public health interventions. Our Public Health Vending Machines dispense items at no cost to the recipient. Available items include Narcan Nasal Spray, fentanyl test strips, hygiene kits, condoms, emergency contraception, and other items; selection of items may vary by location.
Locations of vending machines:
Location
Corinne Reid Owens Transit Center – 1409 State Street Racine, WI 53403
Hours
Sunday – Saturday, 6:00 am – 9:00 pm
Location
Racine Public Library – 75 Seventh Street, Racine, WI 53403
Hours
Accessible 24/7
Location
Dr. John Bryant Community Center – 601 Caron Butler Drive, Racine, WI 53403
Hours
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Accessing Narcan®
Adequate access to Narcan® is an important step in preventing deaths from opioid overdoses, and the Public Health Department is committed to ensuring equitable access to Narcan for all members of our community.
Narcan is available from the Public Health Department at no charge in a variety of ways, including through community outreach at churches, schools, businesses, and community events. If you are affiliated with a business, church, non-profit, or other community group and feel that a presentation about opioid overdoses and the use of Narcan or the distribution of Narcan through your organization would be beneficial, contact the Public Health Department at PublicHealth@cityofracine.org or 262-636-9201.
Additional ways to access Narcan:
- Harm Reduction Program of the Public Health Department – Located inside Racine City Hall at 730 Washington Avenue, Room 4 (Lower Level), Racine.
- Public Health Vending Machines.
- Mail Me Narcan – A new program from the Public Health Department to have Narcan® mailed to your home.
- Behavioral Health Services of Racine County – Located inside the Dennis Kornwolf Service Center at 1717 Taylor Avenue, Racine.
- NEXT Distro – A service provided in conjunction with Gwayakobimaadiziwin Bad River Harm Reduction to have naloxone (generic Narcan) mailed to your home.
Addiction Treatment and Counseling
Several organizations offer meetings in Racine and other nearby areas to aid in overcoming addictions to injectable and other drugs. They include:
If you have questions or would like more information
