MILWAUKEE — Ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day, communities and health departments statewide continue to tackle the opioid epidemic, aiming to get it under control.

“Here in Fond du Lac County, since 2020, we’ve experienced 82 overdose deaths,” said Raine Bleecker, health educator and communications specialist with the Fond du Lac County Health Department. “There are definitely people who are afraid to reach out for help, afraid to reach out for treatment to start their journey in recovery due to the stigma they face every day.”

Recent numbers show upwards of 1,300 or 1,400 Wisconsinites are overdosing and dying each year. Bleecker said it’s critical all Wisconsinites know what warning signs to watch for.

“If they’re isolating themselves or you haven’t heard from them in a while — those kinds of things are definitely something to look out for,” Bleecker said. “You know the people in your life best, so if they’re doing something out of the ordinary to you, it’s definitely something you should follow up with.”

Watch the full interview above.