(The Center Square) – Opioid deaths dropped in Wisconsin for the first time in decades while funding from opioid settlements has begun to be spent in the state, according to a new report.
There were still 1,075 opioid overdose deaths in the state during the 12 months ending in June 2024, but that was the lowest level of deaths since June 2024, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cited in the report from Wisconsin Policy Forum.
Meanwhile, the state and 87 local governments have received $208 million of what is expected to be $780 million by 2038.
Deaths from fentanyl now make up 91% of opioid overdose deaths, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and efforts such as placing NaloxBoxes in 43 locations across rural Wisconsin have occurred. The boxes increase access to naloxone, a drug that can help reverse fentanyl overdoses.
“The recent drop in overdose deaths likely has multiple causes,” Wisconsin Policy Forum wrote. “But it may be possible to build on this positive trend through state and local spending that is financed through settlements with pharmaceutical manufacturers, retailers, and distributors.”
Wisconsin had received $75.3 million in settlement funds by the end of 2024 with $64.4 million (85.6%) allocated and $15.4 million (24.0%) spent while local governments had received almost $123 million.
The settlements were with opioid distributers and manufacturers including Johnson & Johnson, CVS, Walmart and Walgreens.
“The downward trend in opioid overdose deaths in Wisconsin since late 2023 is welcome news after they previously had increased for decades,” Wisconsin Policy Forum wrote. “Now, the state will have around $780 million to spend through 2038 on measures meant to continue pushing that trend in the right direction.”
