International Overdose Awareness Day, advocates push for change
MILWAUKEE COUNTY - International Overdose Awareness Day, observed Aug. 31, is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose.
Milwaukee County ranks eighth in the nation for overdose deaths among large cities and counties. Advocates are working to change that, and their call to action is growing louder.
"We are here because people are dying," said Amanda De Leon, CMS community impact manager. "We are trying to get people more access to treatment but its just not happening fast enough"
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
Byron Thompson, regional partnerships manager with The Phoenix's Milwaukee chapter, wants people to know they are not alone.
"Next Sept. 13, I’ll have 23 years of sobriety," he said. "I’m letting people know that I’m in recovery, I am about recovery, I can help you in recovery."
NARCAN nasal spray
Thompson now uses his experience to help those in recovery come together through physical and social activities with The Phoenix.
Each year, Milwaukee County collects data on overdose deaths. In 2021, there were 623 confirmed overdose deaths followed by 648 in 2022. So far this year, there have been 163 fatal overdoses with 243 deaths still pending confirmation of drug involvement.
"I think we need better access to treatment," said De Leon.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.
To save lives, De Leon said she needs people to be aware of the epidemic as it affects every neighborhood and every demographic.
"It’s our job to be there for them and to give them the tools that they need to live for today," she said.
Milwaukee's Hoan Bridge will be lit purple for International Overdose Awareness Day; it was also lit Wednesday night for the same cause.
Resources
In recognition and honor of those who have been affected by or have lost their lives because of drug-related overdose, the city of Milwaukee Health Department partnered with Rise Drug Free MKE, Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services, and numerous community partners to host a day of events for friends, families, and survivors of overdose.
- Milwaukee County has a crisis line. You can call 414-257-7222 for help.
- Rise Drug-Free MKE
- Milwaukee Health Department services
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Samad’s House (2875 N. 23rd Street)
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Narcan and fentanyl test strip training
- Open mic to share experiences with overdose, honor survivors, and remember those who have lost their lives to overdose
- Grief counseling for those impacted by overdos
UMOS Inc. (3701 S. Chase Avenue)
1 – 3 p.m.
- Resource Fair
- Prayer led by Pastor Marty Calderon
- Narcan and fentanyl test strip training
- Open mic to share experiences with overdose, honor survivors, and remember those who have lost their lives to overdose
- Grief counseling for those impacted by overdose
Mitchell Park Pavilion (524 S. Layton Boulevard)
4 – 7:30 p.m.
- March to End Overdose – Beginning and ending in Mitchell Park to join the south and north sides of Milwaukee in healing our community
- Memorial lantern release to remember individuals and families touched by overdose
- Memorial Tree – Attendees can write the name of a loved one impacted by overdose on a purple ribbon and attach it to the tree
- Narcan and fentanyl test strip training
- Open mic to share experiences with overdose, honor survivors, and remember those who have lost their lives to overdose
- Grief counseling for those impacted by overdose