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Yes.
In 2021, 1,280 people died of fentanyl overdose in Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
In 2019, 651 such deaths occurred, marking a 97% increase.
In August, DHS issued a public health advisory about the increase in overdose deaths related to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
“Over the last year, synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, were identified in 91 percent of opioid overdose deaths and 73 percent of all drug overdose deaths,” the DHS advisory stated.
Republican 3rd Congressional District candidate Derrick Van Orden blames an “open border” with Mexico for the influx.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said in a 2020 report that while Mexico is a source of fentanyl, China is the biggest contributor.
“Currently, China remains the primary source of fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances,” the agency said, either shipping it by consignment or sending fentanyl or its components through the mail.
Sources
Wisconsin Department Of Health Services: DHS Issues Public Health Advisory to Warn of the Risks of Death from Drugs Laced with Fentanyl
Wisconsin Department Of Health Services: Public Health Advisory: Fentanyl Increasingly Present in Overdose Deaths in Wisconsin
Drug Enforcement Administration: Fentanyl Flow to the United States
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