Wisconsin allocates $30M from opioid settlement to combat epidemic

Wisconsin Allocates $30 Million for Opioid Epidemic Intervention

In a noteworthy move to address the opioid crisis, Wisconsin plans to allocate over $30 million for combating the epidemic statewide over the coming two years. These funds, originating from a national settlement with drug manufacturers and distributors, are being strategically deployed to enhance prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.

This fiscal year, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is set to receive $14.5 million, with an additional $16.5 million slated for fiscal year 2027. DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson remarked on the significance of these funds, stating that they have already “saved lives in Wisconsin.”

“We have made significant investments in every corner of the state to fill the gaps and connect communities with the resources people need, when and where they need them,” Johnson commented. “We are committed to a plan that protects Wisconsinites from the deadly outcomes of opioid misuse.”

The funding is earmarked for several key areas, including prevention programming, reducing overdose deaths, curbing the spread of infectious diseases, and improving access to treatment and recovery services. According to DHS data, overdose deaths in Wisconsin have decreased by 42.5 percent from 2023 to 2024, with more data from 2025 expected to be released later this year.

Attorney General Josh Kaul emphasized the importance of continuing this positive trend, stating, “The work being done with opioid settlement funds is having a real impact. We must work to continue the decline in opioid-related overdose deaths in Wisconsin.”

Overall, the state is anticipated to receive nearly $800 million from the lawsuit through 2038. This substantial sum is being divided between state initiatives and 87 local governments in Wisconsin. The plan for allocating these funds was developed through public surveys, stakeholder listening sessions, and a detailed review of existing program data, as explained by Michelle Haese, director of substance use initiatives for DHS.

Haese acknowledged the progress made but cautioned, “We still have a ways to go.” The plan dedicates the highest amount, $9 million, to support “prevention, treatment, and recovery services” for Wisconsin’s 11 Tribal nations, with contracts currently being processed as detailed on the DHS website.

Haese highlighted the flexible nature of this funding, stating, “Tribes identify their own priority strategies across the continuum of care, which is truly the appropriate model to help support healthier outcomes for their Tribal nations.”

Additional allocations include $3.5 million for prevention programs such as distributing Narcan and fentanyl and xylazine test strips. Furthermore, $2 million will be used for grants to law enforcement agencies for education and training on medications for opioid use disorder, which can aid in managing withdrawal symptoms and reducing opioid cravings.

Counties and Tribal nations are also set to receive $6.5 million to help offset costs for residential treatment programs for Medicaid recipients, as per the DHS website.