Drug overdose deaths in Milwaukee have doubled in the past decade. Here's how you can respond.

Alex Groth
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Oak Creek Fire Department is providing free Narcan Hope Kits to combat opioid and fentanyl-related deaths.

Overdoses drug deaths doubled in Milwaukee County from 2010 to 2020. Public health experts say more deaths could be prevented if community members have access and are trained to use Narcan, a medication to help reverse opioid overdose.

Demand for Narcan has skyrocketed in places like Ozaukee and Washington counties, especially after four people overdosed on cocaine laced with fentanyl in Grafton earlier this month, said Ashley Claussen, public health strategist for Ozaukee and Washington counties. "I think that definitely sparked a huge conversation. People want to know more about substance use disorder and Narcan," she said.

Overdoses with opioid-related drugs, like fentanyl, are very common right now, said Courtney Geiger, Public Health Strategist at the City of Milwaukee Health Department; 80% of all fatal overdoses in Milwaukee County in 2021 and 2022 contained fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and often is laced with other street drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and depressants.

"It's everywhere," she said. If you suspect someone you know is overdosing, here's what you can do to help:

What are the signs of an overdose?

If you suspect someone has overdosed, look for the following signs:

  • Breathing slowly or erratically, or not at all
  • Slow or erratic pulse, or without a pulse
  • Pale gray or blue skin color, especially discolored lips or fingernails
  • Unresponsive or unconsciousness
  • Choking or gurgling sounds

How to respond to an overdose

If you suspect a person has overdosed, call their name and if they don't respond, rub the middle of their chest with your knuckles. Call 911 right away in you can't wake them up and follow the directions of the 911 operator.

Start rescue breathing if the breathing of the person overdosing is slow or has stopped. Make sure their mouth is not blocked, pinch their nose and breathe into their mouth every five seconds. Continue for 30 seconds. Administer Narcan if you have it. Remove the Narcan from the package and put the tip in either nostril and press the plunger. Continue rescue breathing if their breath is slow or stopped.

Put the person overdosing on their side with their top leg and arm crossed over the body to prevent choking. Stay with the person until emergency services arrive.

What is Narcan?

Narcan, also known as naloxone, is a medication that can help people who are overdosing on an opioid, such as prescription medications, heroin and fentanyl. The drug, which can be administered as a nasal spray, works by blocking the effects of opiates on the brain.

Narcan does not prevent deaths caused by other drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol or other non-opioid related drugs like xylazine, an animal tranquillizer, said Geiger.

Narcan typically wears off in 30 to 90 minutes and the person overdosing can stop breathing unless more Narcan is given. For that reason, it's recommended to call 911 to transport the person for medical care.

Where can you get Narcan and fentanyl test strips in Wisconsin?

Narcan can be purchased without a prescription at hundreds of pharmacies across the state. It is available at no cost to people who attend free training sessions. To find out where you can get Narcan in Wisconsin, visit www.dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Wisconsin law states that any person may possess a medication to reverse an opioid overdose, such as Narcan, and may also administer the drug to a person overdosing. Under the Wisconsin Good Samaritan Law, you can't be held civilly liable for a good faith effort to provide assistance in a life-threatening situation.

A project called Nalox-Zone, a free clear box including Narcan, is available for public spaces. Businesses and organizations can contact the organization to install the box.

More:This new Greenfield vending machine offers life-saving supplies to combat the opioid epidemic -- for free

Washington and Ozaukee counties now hand out Narcan to community members for free. Office locations are at 121 W. Main Street in Port Washington and on 333 East Washington Street in West Bend. For more information, call 262-284-8173 or email ashley.classen@washozwi.gov.

Gov. Tony Evers signed legislation to decriminalize fentanyl test strips last year. The strips detect the presence of fentanyl in powders or injectables and can help prevent accidental overdoses. Wisconsin residents can request free fentanyl test strips via mail by visiting nextdistro.org/wisconsin.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use disorder, here's where you can find help:

For those struggling with substance use disorder, and their friends and families, it can be difficult to reach out for support. There are programs in Milwaukee County and in Wisconsin that can provide help for recovery.

To find resources in Milwaukee County, call 211 or the Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Help Line at 833-944-46473. For Milwaukee locations to receive an evaluation and treatment, visit the health department's website for a list of facilities or call 414-257-8085.

If you need help with mental health or a substance abuse issue, the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division has a crisis line at 414-257-7222.

If you're a family member or friend looking for support, Nar-ANON, a local group, can provide resources.

To find resources in Ozaukee and Washington County, visit changetheend.com.

If you need urgent assistance, call 911 immediately.

Need to dispose of prescription drugs? Here's how to find a take-back location

In Milwaukee, people can dispose of medications 24/7 in drop boxes at Milwaukee Police Districts 2 through 7 as well as the Milwaukee Municipal Court, at 951 N. James Lovell St., on Monday through Friday from 8a.m. to 4:45p.m.

Free postage-paid drug disposal envelopes are also available to residents for the disposal of prescriptions. Residents can pick up an envelope at various CVS locations. For a list of locations, visit www.city.milwaukee.gov.

Do not place illegal drugs, needles, bio-hazardous material, inhalers, aerosol can, personal care products or household hazardous waste in drop boxes or envelopes.

RELATED:Drug overdose deaths increased in Wisconsin during the COVID-19 pandemic. These northeast counties were among the worst hit.

Contact Alex Groth at agroth@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @grothalexandria.