International Overdose Awareness Day Marked with Fewer Drug Deaths, Proclamation in Waukesha County

Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow proclaimed Saturday, August 31, 2019 Overdose Awareness Day in Waukesha County to raise awareness that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable. The proclamation coincides with encouraging evidence that drug deaths in Waukesha County will be down overall for 2018.

“For the first time since 2015, drug deaths in Waukesha County are likely to be lower than the year before,” said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow. “It’s promising to see that our efforts to fight the opioid crisis are having a real impact on the lives of residents. The biggest part of my 2020 budget is, once again, dedicated to public safety and health services, which combine with federal funds to stop this very real crisis.”

To date, Waukesha County has confirmed 62 drug-related deaths in 2018. 53 of them are opioid-related. However, the data for 2018 is not fully complete, and may rise slightly. In 2017, there were 75 confirmed drug-related deaths in Waukesha County. 64 of them were opioid related.

Waukesha County is using multiple tactics to fight the opioid crisis, including participation in the Wisconsin Prescription Drug Overdose (WI-PDO) Project, the Women’s Health and Recovery Project (WHARP), and its Drug Treatment Courts.

Prevention and Remembrance Event

Tonight, the Harm Reduction Pillar of the Waukesha County Heroin Task Force held an awareness event to further commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day in Waukesha County. It took place at Frame Park (1200 Frame Park Dr., Waukesha) at 6:30 pm. More information is available at www.waukeshacounty.gov/overdoseprevention.

About International Overdose Awareness Day

International Overdose Awareness Day is committed to providing a platform to acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends who have lost a loved one to overdose. More information is available at www.overdoseday.com.