Opioids & Harm Reduction
Opioids are powerful drugs. Prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl are responsible for more deaths in Wisconsin each year than car crashes. While opioids are powerful drugs, there is something more powerful than opioids: All of us. That's Wisconsin's new Dose of Reality. Together, we can reduce the dangers of opioids and their impacts on our communities.
Everyone has a role in preventing and reducing substance use. Knowing the facts about drugs and how they impact people and communities is the first step toward preventing and reducing substance use. Real Talks Wisconsin is an effort of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Wisconsin Department of Justice to provide the information Wisconsinites need to keep themselves, their families, and their communities healthy and safe. It promotes conversations on the impacts of substance use in order to build supportive communities where prevention works, treatment is available, and recovery can happen for everyone. Visit RealTalksWI.org for the facts about substance use in Wisconsin, talk tips, and more.
It Starts with Real Talks
Get the Conversation Started
Substance use in Wisconsin continues to be a serious issue. It’s a crisis that touches all of us—affecting our families, communities, and workplaces. Yet many of us don’t talk about it. It’s understandable. Knowing what to say isn’t easy. Stigma, stereotypes, and feelings like embarrassment and fear can make it hard to open up about substance use.
It is easy to think that people won't listen. But research shows they do. You can be the one to help keep the people you care about safe. Having real talks about substance use is an opportunity to provide real information and support. Nervous? Don't be. Conversations about substance use are easier than you think.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Find the right time and place. Choose a comfortable setting with limited distractions where you can both open up, like while taking a walk together or getting coffee.
Keep it casual. You don’t need to have a lot of facts or figures ready. Simply take a moment to think about what you want to discuss before diving in.
Learn to listen is important. Showing interest in what someone has to say is a simple way to demonstrate that you care. Give them your undivided attention, acknowledge their feelings, and try to understand their perspective.
Offer them support—not judgment. Pause before responding to what they say and think about how you can react with compassion. Instead of offering opinions, respond by asking a question about their experiences, their feelings, or what they need. Remind them that you'll always be there for them and why you’re glad they are in your life.
Stay connected. Helping a person doesn't happen overnight. Continue reaching out with offers to listen. Invite them to activities. Encourage them to talk to a health care professional, spiritual advisor, or other friend or relative if they don't want to talk with you.
Having real talks about substance use can make a positive difference in people’s lives—and in your community. Find more helpful information, including talk tips, support resources, and more at RealTalksWI.org.
You can reverse an opioid overdose if you know what to do and you act in time. Whether you use opioids, love someone who does, or just care about the people in your community, it’s important to be prepared if you encounter someone who is experiencing an opioid overdose.
Carrying naloxone can save lives. This is the drug that blocks the harmful effects of opioids on the brain. It is specific to opioids. If opioids are not involved with the overdose, it will not cause any harm.
Save a Life with Naloxone (NARCAN)
WHERE CAN YOU GET NALOXONE
Naloxone is widely available in Wisconsin. It is available as a nasal spray (under the brand name NARCAN®) or an injection.
It can be purchased without a prescription through pharmacists at many pharmacies.
It is available at no cost through vending machines and boxes placed in many public locations.
The nasal spray is available at no cost through dozens of agencies participating in the NARCAN® Direct Program.
The nasal spray can be purchased over-the-counter at many stores with pharmacies, including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, Metro Market, and Pick 'n Save.
Visit the Wisconsin Dose of Reality website for an interactive map listing location with Naloxone availability.
NARCAN is available through Jackson County Public Health, at no cost.
If you or someone you know is at risk for opioid overdose, carrying naloxone can save a life! Call us at 715-284-4301 or email through the link below to set up a time to do a short training and pick-up your free NARCAN nasal spray kit.
How to administer Nasal naloxone (Narcan)
NARCAN® is simple to use. Each NARCAN® device contains one dose.
Call 911 and follow the operator's instructions.
Place the tip of the nozzle in either nostril until your fingers touch the nose.
Press the plunger firmly to release the dose.
Give rescue breaths if needed.
NARCAN® usually starts working within a few minutes and lasts from 30 to 90 minutes.
More than one dose of NARCAN® is sometimes needed. If there is no response after two to three minutes, give a second dose of NARCAN® in the other nostril.
More information on Opioids
Opioids are a class of drugs that alleviate pain and may produce a pleasurable effect on the brain and body. Opioids are used in many ways. A health care professional may prescribe them as part of a treatment plan following an injury or surgery. Opioids also may be used in nonmedical ways. Some people may use opioids to cope with painful emotions, trauma, or other life experiences.
Examples of prescription opioid medications are oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and methodone. These are prescribed for pain relief. In cases of severe pain, fentanyl is another opioid medication that may be prescribed.
Why are opioids risky?
All types of opioids are addictive. The brain and body develop a tolerance to opioids very quickly, meaning more amounts are needed to feel the same effect. This may rapidly become dependence, meaning that not taking opioids may cause severe pain and discomfort because opioids are no longer in the brain and body. This leads some people to use opioids more and more, a cycle that can lead to opioid use disorder.
Tips for people who are prescribed opioids
Limit your use of the medicine. Unlike antibiotics where taking the entire course of medication is necessary, you should stop taking opioids as soon as your pain subsides. Take only the dose prescribed on the schedule prescribed.
Don't share your medicine. Opioids were prescribed to you based on your unique needs. A recommended dose for one person could be harmful to another person.
Safely store your medicine. Leaving opioids on counters or in easily accessible medicine cabinets can lead others to take your opioids without your knowledge. Store your opioids in a safe place out of reach of children and pets. The best spot is a locked box or cabinet.
Safely dispose of leftover medicine. There is no need to hang onto opioids you did not take. If your pain returns, that's because your body likely has not fully healed and you may need other help to fully recover. Take leftover opioids to a drug drop box.
Safe Disposal Options
An important part of substance misuse prevention involves safe disposal of an unused or expired medications. Drug Take Back Day Events are twice each year, once in April and again in October. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department puts these events on. If you miss or can’t make it to these events, you can safely dispose of your medications at a permanent drug drop box.
Find a permanent drug drop box near you: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/safe-disposal.htm.
SHARPS DISPOSAL
Sharps disposal is now located at Jackson County Public Health. Please note, there is a small cost for disposal.
Please bring your sharps in a biohazard container for disposal.
Biohazard containers will be available for purchase at Jackson County Public Health, if needed. Cost is $5 for a 2-quart sharps disposal container.
