Saving Lives: Milwaukee’s Fight Against Fentanyl Overdoses

Milwaukee County recorded its lowest number of fatal drug overdoses in a decade in 2025, according to county data reported by Spectrum News on April 12, 2026. The number of fatalities dropped to 384 in 2025, a significant decrease from the peak of the epidemic in 2022, when 674 people died.

First responders have been instrumental in reducing these numbers through the implementation of harm reduction tools and direct community outreach. The Milwaukee Fire Department emphasizes the importance of having Narcan available to reverse opioid overdoses, including those caused by fentanyl, regardless of whether the individual is a drug user.

Community Outreach and Response Initiatives

The Milwaukee Fire Department operates the Milwaukee Overdose Response Initiative (MORI), a specialized branch dedicated to addressing the opioid crisis. Lt. Alberto Uscanga, who has served with the department for seven years, works within MORI to provide consistent support to individuals struggling with addiction.

Lt. Uscanga’s approach focuses on maintaining a presence in the lives of users, continuing to offer help even after relapses. He stated that his goal is to develop a different kind of consistency with them where we continue to show up, noting that users have often expressed surprise that responders would return to help them after a relapse.

Beyond emergency response, the city utilizes various tools to save lives, including fentanyl drug tests, Narcan, and direct interpersonal communication.

Harm Reduction and Leave Behind Programs

Wisconsin has seen a decline in opioid overdose deaths partly due to the distribution of “harm reduction” tools. One such effort is the Leave Behind program, where firefighters and EMS workers provide kits to individuals and families after responding to 911 overdose calls.

These kits typically contain Narcan, fentanyl test strips, and information regarding addiction treatment resources. The program is funded by the Department of Health Services using state opioid settlement funds. In the spring of 2023, the DHS distributed a total of $572,159 to 21 local agencies for these kits.

The Milwaukee County department received $70,000 worth of these kits in October 2023. Kevin Bonnell, a battalion chief for the EMS Bureau at North Shore Fire Rescue, reported that approximately 100 doses were administered through the program within a year. Bonnell noted that these kits allow those living with opioid users to administer life-saving medication before emergency services arrive, although professional medical intervention remains necessary as Narcan may be shorter-acting than some illicit drugs.

Regional Epicenters and Emerging Threats

Despite the overall decrease in fatalities, certain areas of Milwaukee remain disproportionately affected. The North Side is identified as the epicenter of the county’s overdose crisis, with ZIP codes 53206 and 53209 bearing a high share of fatal drug deaths.

According to the Advancing Healthier Wisconsin Endowment, ZIP 53206 recorded 29 overdose fatalities and ZIP 53209 recorded 25 fatalities in 2024. Neighborhoods such as Lindsay Heights, Harambee, and Sherman Park are among the hardest-hit areas.

Public health efforts are now contending not only with fentanyl but also with nitazenes, which are described as even more lethal. The crisis has also reached educational institutions, as evidenced by a fentanyl-related death on the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) campus.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, call the Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline at 211 for confidential support.