Data shows the number of opioid deaths in Wisconsin has increased during the pandemic.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, numbers are above average in 2020 from January through September. The highest number of opioid deaths listed in the last six years was recorded in May 2020 at 137 deaths, a 40 percent increase from the same time in 2019.
Officials said there is one way the community can help fight the opioid crisis.
Saturday is Wisconsin's Drug Take Back Day. People are encouraged to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription or over-the-counter medications, medicated ointments, non-aerosol sprays and pet medications at participating locations.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, 290 local law enforcement agencies will participate in the Drug Take Back Day Saturday. The Shawano County Sheriff's Office is one of them.
Sheriff Adam Bieber, Shawano County Sheriff's Office, said they've seen an increase in opioid overdoses since the COVID-19 pandemic started. He said deputies recently responded to a situation where a man unintentionally overdosed on pain medication, and had to administer nalaxone.
Bieber said kids will sometimes experiment with prescription medication, because they feel it's safer and more easily available.
"We do know that people misuse prescription medication and a lot of times that's where the addiction starts," Bieber said. "Get rid of that stuff out of your house. Otherwise keep it locked away, because you could be saving someone from a life of addiction."
Michelle Pierquet-Hohner, director of community and donor engagement at the Jackie Nitschke Center, an alcohol and drug treatment facility, said they've noticed an increase in calls, referrals, and people going to the center for help with opioid addiction during the pandemic.
She said 75 percent of people who abuse prescription drugs get them from friends or relatives.
"The Drug Take Back Days help communities by really helping to ensure that prescription medications get properly disposed of and don't get into the wrong hands," Pierquet-Hohner said.
Bieber said they collected 600 lbs of prescription medications last year.
There are four locations in Shawano County participating in Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday:
- Tigerton Village Hall, 221 Birch St.
- Stockbridge-Munsee Public Safety, W13445 Camp 14 Road Bowler
- Bonduel Police Department, 207 S. First Street
- Shawano County Sheriff’s Office, 405 N Main St, Shawano
The Shawano County Sheriff's Office will take and properly dispose of people's prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications any day of the year. Bieber said it's easiest if people put medications in a clear Ziploc bag before handing them off. If people need to keep the medication in the original container, they should remove the label or any personal identifiers.
People struggling with addiction can call the Jackie Nitschke Center at 920-435-2093 for information on recovery programs or other services.
According to a spokesperson with the National Drug Addiction Hotline, staff takes more than 10,000 calls per year from Americans struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. People seeking help can call the national line at 844-289-0879.
