MILWAUKEE – For the fourth year in a row, overdose and opioid overdose deaths are on the decline in Milwaukee County. On Tuesday, April 21, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley was joined by Dr. Ben Weston, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner Office, and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Behavioral Health Services (BHS) to share the 2025 data on fatal overdoses in Milwaukee County.
The data, which is publicly accessible on Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management’s Overdose Dashboard, shows that in 2025, there were 387 fatal overdoses in Milwaukee County. Of those, 249 were fatal opioid overdoses. This is a 17.7% decrease in fatal overdoses and 22.7% decrease in fatal opioid overdoses from 2024. Since 2022, when Milwaukee County experienced 674 overdose deaths, there has been a 42.6% decline. Opioid overdose deaths in 2022 reached 548, but that number has been cut in half, with a 54.6% decline.
“Thanks to the investment of opioid settlement dollars, increased access to free harm reduction supplies, and efforts to eliminate the stigma surrounding substance use disorder, fewer people are dying of overdose, which means more opportunities for treatment, recovery, and a path forward,” said County Executive Crowley. “As we acknowledge the progress we have made, we must also remember those we have lost. Their lives matter, and their stories remind us why this work is so critical. I am committed to continuing this work until every person in Milwaukee County has access to the care, support, and second chances they deserve.”
In 2023, it was confirmed that Milwaukee County would receive $111 million over the next 18 years through unprecedented nationwide opioid settlements – the largest amount recovered by any local government in the history of Wisconsin. Settlement funds have supported a wide range of strategies, including countywide distribution of harm reduction supplies, expanded capacity at residential substance use treatment facilities, improved data analytics to inform policy decisions, grants to help fund partner organizations doing critical work throughout Milwaukee County, and more.
“Three years ago, we were losing a life to opioid overdose every 16 hours,” said Dr. Weston, Chief Health Policy Advisor. “Today, by scaling what works across prevention, harm reduction, and treatment, we’ve reduced opioid deaths in Milwaukee County by more than 50 percent.”
Much of that progress is attributable to expanded access to harm reduction tools. Increasing access, removing financial barriers, and destigmatizing the use of life-saving tools has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on our community. Milwaukee County DHHS is working to get supplies into the hands of the community through multiple initiatives.
In 2022 DHHS launched Harm Reduction MKE, an initiative that began with placing 27 harm reduction vending machines throughout the community, providing easy access to supplies, including nasal naloxone, fentanyl test strips, drug deactivation pouches, medication lock bags, and gun locks. Through a program called “Pull Up & Pick Up,” residents can order free supplies and pick them up from the Coakley Brothers building on the third Friday of every month. Additionally, in partnership with Vivent Health Depot, residents can now have free harm reduction supplies delivered directly to their homes.
“The continued decline in overdose deaths in Milwaukee County is encouraging and reflects the impact of coordinated efforts across public health, healthcare, and community partners,” said Dr. Wieslawa Tlomak, Chief Medical Examiner. “At the Medical Examiner’s Office, we see firsthand the human toll of this crisis, and while the data shows progress, it also reminds us that this work is far from over. Each case represents a life lost and a family forever changed. We remain committed to providing timely, accurate data to help guide interventions and ultimately prevent future deaths.”
In 2021, DHHS launched Better Ways to Cope (BWTC), a community-centered harm reduction, prevention, treatment and recovery campaign using media platforms to promote services, grant funds to community organizations, and share resources with community members. As part of this effort, BWTC is currently accepting applications from community organizations to be awarded a two-year $200,000 grant to fund prevention, harm reduction, treatment, or recovery programs.
To continue delivering resources directly to residents, DHHS BHS will host a 1,000 Doors Challenge on Friday, June 12. Agencies will canvass neighborhoods and hand out harm reduction supplies, with a goal of reaching 1,000 homes and increasing access to life-saving supplies. Following the canvassing challenge, a resource fair will be held with trainings, demonstrations, resources, and stories of recovery. Those interested in participating can register online.
