PHOTO: Wisconsin State Patrol
WINNEBAGO COUNTY (WTAQ-WLUK) — In communities across the nation, and in Wisconsin, overdose deaths last year dropped significantly, according to recently released CDC data.
“I can personally tell you that Narcan is extremely important and people wouldn’t be successful if they didn’t have Narcan to bring them back,” says Amanda Tennyson, who operates Lifepoint, a harm reduction program for the Winnebago County Health Department.
CDC data indicates that a big factor in the drop in overdose deaths is due to increased Narcan availability.
“Whether someone agrees with it or not, we all have the same end goal, and that is to reduce the overdose deaths, which are happening,” says Tennyson. “I’m amazed at the amount of people that have shifted their views and carry Narcan.”
Along with public health vending machines, the Lifepoint program helps get items like fentanyl test strips and Narcan into the hands of community members. Tennyson has taught hundreds, potentially thousands, of local community members how to administer the drug.
The Winnebago County public health vending machines and the Lifepoint program are funded mainly through large-scale state opioid settlements. And it’s making a difference.
“We are seeing a decrease in overdose deaths, which is amazing,” adds Maddie Breager, a community health strategist for the Winnebago County Health Department. “But, we have to remember that Narcan is just one piece of that puzzle, our treatment and other community partners are also game in this.”
Breager reminds the community that it’s not just Narcan that’s saving lives. It’s also recovery and treatment programs that are just as valuable and life-saving.
But those programs typically rely on federal funding, usually through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA. It’s a part of the U.S. Health and Human Services.
Right now, SAMHSA is facing cuts, the extent of which remains to be seen, as Robert F Kennedy Jr. and the Trump Administration seek to downsize government and spending.
SAMHSA is also well known for being the agency that oversees the 988 suicide hotline.
Wisconsin Democrats like Tammy Baldwin are loudly expressing frustration.
“They announced this massive reorganization of HHS, and elimination of different agencies and the reconfiguration. You know how much detail we got on that? First of all, Congress got zero details on it,” she said in a press conference with media members ahead of her budget proposal hearing with RFK Jr.
But Republicans like Tony Wied say talking about SAMHSA cuts is ‘misinformation.’
“As the Trump Administration clearly explained, and Senator Baldwin willfully ignored, SAMHSA will be consolidated and improved with other federal healthcare agencies to better serve those with chronic diseases and mental health struggles. It’s a shame that Senator Baldwin and the media feel the need to continue to pedal misinformation,” he said in a statement.
Municipalities like Winnebago County say any funding cuts could dilute the progress they’re making against the opioid crisis.
“Even though they might not directly impact us with Narcan, those other pieces will eventually have an impact on other systems and services, which will be devastating to our community,” Breager says.
Winnebago County officials add that they’ve seen success since launching the public health vending machines, vending over 1,200 items since September of last year.
Community members can offer input on what they’d like to see be included in the vending machines by completing this survey.
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