The Sconi

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has begun distributing over 131,000 xylazine test strips to community organizations across the state and has renewed its statewide naloxone standing order for pharmacists. These actions are part of ongoing efforts to address Wisconsin’s drug overdose epidemic.

"Drug overdoses are preventable when we know what to do and how to do it," said DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson. "When solutions like xylazine test strips and naloxone exist, we must do all we can to make these tools accessible and available to people who use drugs, their families, friends, and others who want them to be safe. Equally important is making sure people are trained on how to use these tools effectively."

Xylazine test strips serve as a drug checking tool that allows individuals using opioids to detect the presence of xylazine—a veterinary tranquilizer that is unsafe for humans and often mixed with drugs such as fentanyl. The presence of xylazine increases the risk of fatal overdose and can cause severe skin infections. Xylazine has been found in at least 35 counties in Wisconsin. According to DHS, seventy-eight agencies have received packages containing one test strip each along with instructions for use. There is no limit on the number of strips an individual may obtain, and a map of pickup locations is available on the DHS website.

In addition, DHS has renewed its Naloxone Standing Order for Pharmacists, which continues allowing residents access to naloxone without a prescription at participating pharmacies. Naloxone is used to reverse opioid overdoses. The updated standing order does not expire and now permits pharmacies to dispense both 3mg and 4mg nasal sprays as well as injectable forms of naloxone; however, high dose naloxone products or other medications like nalmefene are not included under this order due to lack of evidence showing increased effectiveness.

While there may be costs associated with obtaining naloxone from pharmacies, many insurance plans provide partial coverage when purchased through a pharmacist. More than 300 pharmacies currently participate in this program statewide.

These initiatives form part of broader harm reduction strategies supported by DHS aimed at reducing negative outcomes from drug use. Preliminary data indicates that final figures for 2024 will show a significant decrease in drug overdose deaths compared with previous years despite challenges posed by polysubstance use—where multiple substances are unintentionally consumed due to additives present in today’s drug supply.

Individuals seeking help with substance use concerns can contact the Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline by calling 211 or 833-944-4673, texting their ZIP code to 898211, or visiting additionhelpwi.org for chat support.

For further information or media inquiries, questions can be directed via email to DHSMedia@dhs.wisconsin.gov.