As Overdose Deaths In Indigenous And Rural Communities Climb, New Program Will Mail Wisconsinites Naloxone And Harm Reduction Supplies

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, over the past decade, Wisconsin experienced a staggering 900% increase in opioid-involved overdose deaths. Nationally, more than 100,000 people in the United States died of a drug overdose this past year alone, with rates of overdose deaths rising most quickly among Indigenous and Black communities. Indigenous communities in Wisconsin experience the highest rates of fatal overdose when compared to any racial group in the state, and rose to 54.4 per 100,000 in 2020, twice the rate experienced by the general population.

To address the overdose crisis in Wisconsin, Gwayakobimaadiziwin Bad River Harm Reduction and NEXT Distro are launching a new program that provides free harm reduction supplies to individuals in Wisconsin via mail, in discrete packaging that does not indicate content. As part of this service, launched in December 2022, people can request intramuscular naloxone (and intra-nasal naloxone, if available) directly through NEXT Distro’s website, as well as fentanyl test strips. Organizations in Wisconsin can also order free cards that advertise the mail-based service to individuals through NEXT Distro’s site.

Naloxone is a lifesaving medication that rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, including respiratory depression. It is available as both an injectable and as a nasal spray, commonly known by the brand-name Narcan. Injectable naloxone, or intramuscular naloxone, is easy-to-use, effective at reversing an opioid overdose, and costs less than Narcan. Community members can access free virtual training on how to use intramuscular naloxone through NEXT Distro’s website.

“Through our innovative mail-based model, NEXT’s program is responsible for over 12,000 lives saved in other parts of the United States. We are looking forward to expanding this free, discrete service to support Wisconsinites in obtaining naloxone to protect their loved ones.” stated Jamie Favaro, founder and executive director of NEXT Distro.

The new initiative is in part funded by Vital Strategies, a public health organization whose Overdose Prevention Program is working in seven states to strengthen evidence-based interventions and drug policies to reduce overdose deaths.

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Photo by NEXT Distro on Unsplash