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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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Was fentanyl responsible for more than 1,200 deaths in Wisconsin last year?

by Hope Karnopp / Wisconsin Watch, Wisconsin Watch
October 26, 2022

<h1>Was fentanyl responsible for more than 1,200 deaths in Wisconsin last year?</h1> <p class="byline">by Hope Karnopp / Wisconsin Watch, Wisconsin Watch <br />October 26, 2022</p> <br /> <h2>Yes.</h2> <p>In 2021, 1,280 people died of fentanyl overdose in Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.</p> <p>In 2019, 651 such deaths occurred, marking a 97% increase.</p> <p>In August, DHS issued a public health advisory about the increase in overdose deaths related to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.</p> <p>"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.&nbsp;</p> <p>Republican 3rd Congressional District candidate Derrick Van Orden blames an "open border" with Mexico for the influx.&nbsp;</p> <p>The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said in a 2020 report that while Mexico is a source of fentanyl, China is the biggest contributor.</p> <p>"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.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Sources</strong></p> <p>Wisconsin Department Of Health Services: <a href="https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/news/releases/081722b.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DHS Issues Public Health Advisory to Warn of the Risks of Death from Drugs Laced with Fentanyl</a></p> <p>Wisconsin Department Of Health Services: <a href="https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/ph-advisory.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Public Health Advisory: Fentanyl Increasingly Present in Overdose Deaths in Wisconsin</a></p> <p>Drug Enforcement Administration: <a href="https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/DEA_GOV_DIR-008-20%20Fentanyl%20Flow%20in%20the%20United%20States_0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fentanyl Flow to the United States</a></p> <p>This <a target="_blank" href="https://wisconsinwatch.org/2022/10/was-fentanyl-responsible-for-more-than-1200-deaths-in-wisconsin-last-year/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://wisconsinwatch.org">Wisconsin Watch</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://i0.wp.com/wisconsinwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-WCIJ_IconOnly_FullColor_RGB-1.png?fit=150%2C150&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;"><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://wisconsinwatch.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=1272540&ga=UA-17896820-1" style="width:1px;height:1px;"></p>

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