Overdose deaths decrease nearly 50% in Winnebago County

OSHKOSH, Wis (WISS) – The Winnebago County Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) Team reports a 49 percent decrease in overdose deaths in 2024.

The 7th annual report of the OFR compared 2024 numbers to those of 2023 when the county saw a record number of overdose deaths.

This decline underscores the ongoing dedication of community partners in addressing substance use and overdose fatalities. 

“ We have 49 partners representing 35 agencies from a multidisciplinary team of law enforcement, public health, healthcare, city, county services, education, faith communities, people with lived experience, fire, police, everything,” said Jennifer Skolaski, Project Manager of the OFR Team. “And we all come together to review these cases, and it’s every one of those beings and every one of those sectors working together to help with this decrease. So we definitely celebrate that.

Despite this encouraging progress, the report also highlights persistent and evolving challenges in the fight against overdose deaths.

“We still had 24 lives lost last year,” said Maddie Breager, Community Health Strategist with Winnebago County Public Health. “And so until those numbers are at zero, we’re not gonna stop.”

Key Findings of 2024 OFR Report

• Overdose Deaths Decline: Overdose fatalities dropped from 47 in 2023 to 24 in 2024—a 49 percent decrease.
• Fentanyl Remains the Leading Cause: Fentanyl continues to be the most common substance involved in overdose deaths, which is listed as a primary cause of death in 11 overdose deaths in Winnebago County.
• Aging Trend in Victims: The majority of those who died were between the ages of 35 and 64, indicating an aging trend in overdose fatalities.
• Substance Use and Mental Health History: 22 of the 24 individuals who died in 2024 had a known history of substance use (including illicit drugs, marijuana, alcoholism, and/or prescription drug misuse). Fifteen had a prior mental health diagnosis such as anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder—reflecting patterns observed in previous years.

The Winnebago County OFR team identified several major themes through case reviews, including critical systemic gaps between treatment, mental health care, and primary care that hinder long-term recovery. 

Many individuals who overdosed experienced social isolation, with marginalized populations—particularly LGBTQIA+ individuals and people of color—facing disproportionate challenges. 

“ Narcan doesn’t work if you’re using alone. Which I know, public health does a great job of advocating, never use alone, but I think also you talk about the answers,” Skolaski said. “It’s connection to community and having people checking in on one another and making sure that we’re not isolated. Because we know that the people who have died in the past and the people who are struggling are completely alone and isolated.”

Nonfatal overdoses treated in emergency departments often involve individuals using substances to cope with emotional distress, underscoring the need for integrated behavioral and physical health care. Additionally, children who lose caregivers to overdose face lasting trauma and limited access to support, highlighting the importance of expanding trauma-informed, adolescent-focused services and wraparound care.

OFR priorities for 2025-2026

• Close gaps in communication between systems to strengthen the continuum of care.

• Identify children falling between gaps and connect them with care.

• Focus on preventative efforts.

The 7th annual OFR report highlights local trends in overdose deaths and contributing factors and emphasizes the broader ripple effects of the team’s work throughout the county and beyond. 

To date, the team has voted on 62 recommendations and successfully launched 12 pilot projects to prevent overdose and support recovery. These efforts inspire system-level change, foster cross-sector collaboration, and elevate the shared mission of saving lives and supporting families. Breager works with Winnebago County agencies to administer many of the programs. She said accessibility to overdose stopping drugs, like Narcan, has made a huge difference.

“This is a lifesaving tool, and by having Narcan, this is gonna prevent deaths. And with that, increasing Narcan saturation in a variety of different sectors. So, whether that’s our law enforcement partners, our public health vending machines, or other resources, getting it into the hands of the people who need it most is the most vital thing,” Braeger said.

Skolaski said another tool to break isolation and to connect those with substance abuse disorders with resources is the We Heart You app. 

“You know, someone who’s struggling with substance use disorder has a disease, and when we can show compassion towards one another and empathy, mm-hmm. That’s how we start breaking stigma and solving the problem.”

Download the 2024-2025 Overdose Fatality Review Annual Report here:

For more information on the Winnebago County OFR Team or the full Annual Report, visit www.winnebagopublichealth.org or call 920-232-3000.