opioids Archives - Wisconsin Watch

A vending machine stocked with free Narcan (naloxone) nasal spray doses, located outdoors. The machine is operated by Madison Street Medicine, and boxes labeled “NASAL NARCAN” are visible behind the glass.

Health & Welfare

Why we’re tracking opioid settlement spending

by Addie Costello / Wisconsin Watch July 30, 2025February 5, 2026 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Wisconsin Watch created a tool to show how counties and municipalities are spending millions intended to address the opioid crisis.

A man with light brown hair pulled back stands outside on a sunny day, leaning against a railing. He wears a light blue button-up shirt with a subtle dot pattern and has a small earring in his left ear. In the background are trees, an apartment building, and a tan residential structure with a gray roof.

Health & Welfare

How are Wisconsin’s local governments spending millions in opioid settlement payouts?

by Addie Costello / Wisconsin Watch July 29, 2025February 5, 2026 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Man stands on porch

Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety

Milwaukee is losing a generation of Black men to drug crisis

by Edgar Mendez / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and Devin Blake / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service January 30, 2025April 3, 2025 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Man on porch

Health & Welfare

How drug overdose deaths have plagued one generation of Black men for decades

by Josh Katz / The New York Times, Margot Sanger-Katz / The New York Times and Nick Thieme January 30, 2025January 30, 2025 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Health & Welfare

Milwaukee County unveils new projects to stem tide of opioid overdose deaths

by Edgar Mendez / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service August 13, 2024August 9, 2024 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Does fentanyl kill more than 100,000 Americans every year?

by Tom Kertscher / Wisconsin Watch July 18, 2024July 18, 2024 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Did opioid-related fatal overdoses in Wisconsin reach record highs before Joe Biden became president and have they continued to increase?

by Tom Kertscher / Wisconsin Watch January 30, 2024January 30, 2024 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Do the latest annual statistics show 1,400 people in Wisconsin died of opioid overdoses?

by Tom Kertscher / Wisconsin Watch August 30, 2023September 6, 2023 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Justice & Safety

Milwaukee police are making fewer drug arrests, even as opioid deaths soar

by Edgar Mendez / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service August 21, 2023August 18, 2023 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

The contents of a Milwaukee Overdose Response Initiative “Hope Kit”

Health & Welfare

Here’s where to find Narcan in Wisconsin — and how to reverse an opioid overdose

by Devin Blake / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service June 22, 2023June 22, 2023 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Health & Welfare

As drug overdose deaths soar, Milwaukee County considers use of opioid settlement funds

by Edgar Mendez / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service December 8, 2022December 8, 2022 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

A photojournalist takes pictures of the exhibits on "The Faces of Fentanyl" at DEA headquarters.

Health & Welfare

As fentanyl drives overdose deaths, mistaken beliefs persist

by Geoff Mulvihill / Associated Press October 31, 2022October 31, 2022 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch