GREEN BAY, Wis. — Over 1,300 people died of opioid deaths in Wisconsin in 2023; 1,280 were fentanyl related, according to data provided to Spectrum News by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

While several counties in Wisconsin report a high number of opioid deaths, the Brown County Sheriff’s Office continues its fight against fentanyl.

The fight against opioid-related deaths is constantly changing for Lt. Matthew Ronk. Ronk has been with the Brown County Sheriff’s Office for 23 years and has spent 13 years on the Drug Task Force. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Brown County Sheriff's Office reports social media apps like Facebook messenger, Snapchat, Telegram and WhatsApp are making it convenient for people to get their hands on fentanyl

  • A total of 1,388 people died of opioid deaths in Wisconsin in 2023; 1,280 were fentanyl related, according to data provided to Spectrum News by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services

  • Preventing deaths is becoming challenging. Brown County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force Lt. Matthew Ronk said fentanyl is being mixed with drugs like Xylazine that can't be reversed by Narcan and Bromazepam

Ronk said more people are using social media to purchase fentanyl.

“It’s a sign of the times. We went from phone calls and text messages to app-based communications, Facebook messenger, Snapchat, Telegram, WhatsApp and there’s there’s a ton of communication apps that people will use to limit law enforcement detection,” Ronk said.

With social media apps making it convenient for people to get their hands on fentanyl, Ronk said the size of drug busts in Brown County is growing.

Recently, Brown County’s Drug Task Force seized 8,400 fentanyl-laced pills.

Ronk said a decade ago, several hundred pills were considered a large bust, but that’s not the case anymore. 

“Unfortunately, it’s a common amount. A few years ago, it would have been very uncommon, but it’s not even noteworthy to me,” Ronk said.

There were 49 fentanyl-related deaths in Brown County in 2023. That’s 77% of all overdose deaths.

Abby Brezinkski with the Jackie Nitschke Center in Green Bay said there is some positive news. She’s noticed an increase in those seeking treatment for opioid addictions.

“In 2022, nobody identified that they actively knew that they were actively using fentanyl. In 2023, that number for individuals coming in between the ages of 18 to 21 jumped to 5%. The opioid use disorder jumped to 2.5%,” Brezinkski said.

Preventing opioid-related deaths is also becoming challenging. Ronk said drugs are becoming so dangerous that overdose medications are becoming ineffective.

“Now fentanyl is mixed with drugs like Xylazine that can’t be reversed by Narcan and Bromazepam. They’re mixing different drugs and to make it more potent, and it’s becoming more deadly every day,” Ronk said.

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