Overdose Fatality Review: A Closer Look
posted
On May 5, 2022, we released the findings from the Dane County Overdose Fatality Review (OFR). The report reflects a community-wide effort to gather data, review deaths, make recommendations, and take action toward change.
In addition to reviewing data on overdose deaths from 2018-2020, our team interviewed families who lost loved ones to drug overdose in 2020. These interviews provided invaluable, personal insight to help us identify challenges facing people who use drugs. Let’s go over some of the key takeaways from the report:
138 people lost their lives to drug overdose in 2020, a 39% increase since 2016.
In 2020, overdose deaths happened at 4.2xthe rate of motor vehicle deaths and 3.4x the rate of firearm deaths. The highest rates of drug overdose deaths are among people 25-54 years old and the majority are men. Opioids continue to drive drug overdose deaths, with nearly 9 in 10 deaths involving an opioid.
Deaths from synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, have increased rapidly.
Dane County has seen a large increase in opioid-related overdose deaths over the past 20 years. In the past 5 years, deaths that involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl have been rapidly increasing.
Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid, and people often don’t know that the drug they’re taking has been mixed with fentanyl, leading to overdoses. That’s a big reason why we provide free fentanyl test strips at our offices.
In 2018-2020, Black people were three times as likely to experience an overdose-related death than white people.
Racial inequities in overdose deaths have been increasing in Dane County. In 2018-2020, Black people were three times as likely to experience an overdose-related death than white people. We know that drug misuse is connected to social determinants of health, like trauma, poverty, and mental health. Social determinants of health often have roots in long-standing systemic racism and bias that leads to communities having unequal access to resources.
Each of these numbers represents real people who lived full, complicated lives, and who were loved. Below are words family members used to describe the loved ones they lost in 2020.
“It’s just so hard. It’s hard to find the help. And then to get connected and [to be told], ‘We’re already swamped, we can’t fit another person in.’”
“He called the day after [our Dad] passed and I just broke down and said, ‘Dad died.’ I’ve never heard somebody howl so bad before. He always thought our father didn’t love him.
He found out about his dad dying and his favorite uncle [dying] on the same day and then he just kinda spiraled downhill from there.”
“I didn’t know what to do or where to go for help.”
“He had dreams. And he was loved by so many people. I just want people to know, this was a loved one. No matter how many times he was arrested, no matter how many times you may have passed him on the street when he was in clothes that he slept in for two weeks, he was someone’s child, someone’s uncle, someone’s brother.
We never give up on these people. The families never give up.
And I just hope that no matter how you think of people, just have some compassion. It was hell, but I would not have it any other way because I never would have given up on him. Ever.”
Overdose deaths are 100% preventable. Public Health and Overdose Fatality Review partners are working together to implement recommendations identified in the report to prevent future deaths.
The Dane County OFR Case Review Team reviewed all of this information and collectively developed recommendations to improve some of the challenges facing people who use drugs. Those recommendations include decriminalizing addiction, supporting families, increasing access to treatment, and expanding harm reduction services.
Learn more about how we’re working to prevent overdoses and reduce drug harm.
Watch this video with a short recap of the report:
Subscribe to Public Health Blog Updates
Archive
- The New "CovidConnect"
- Is it possible to get COVID-19 within 3 months of my last infection?
- Bivalent Boosters have Arrived! Why They’re Important & Where to Find Them
- COVID Data Notes for the Week of September 15, 2022
- Does Changing CDC Guidance Mean the COVID Pandemic is Over?
- COVID Data Notes for the Week of September 1, 2022
- The New Vaccine on the Block: Novavax Now Authorized for Everyone 12+
- COVID still exists & I’m worried about my kid going back to school. What can I do?
- There’s New Advice about Testing and Quarantine: What Do You Need to Know
- Let’s not go back to a time where polio and other preventable diseases were common
- COVID Data Notes for the Week of August 18, 2022
- We Hit "High" Again: What Does That Mean?
- COVID Data Notes for the Week of August 4, 2022
- The Latest on Monkeypox in Dane County
- Why Universal Basic Income Could Change the Public’s Health (and how to apply for it in Madison)
- Public Health Madison & Dane County Statement on Supreme Court Decision on Abortion Rights
- Q&A: Children 6 months & up now eligible for vaccine
- Did you test negative when sick or exposed to COVID? Here’s what it means
- Data Notes for the Week of June 16, 2022
- Booster Update: 5-11 Year Olds Now Eligible
- Data Notes for the Week of June 2, 2022
- Data Notes for the Week of March 31, 2022
- Data Notes for the Week of March 24, 2022
- LGBTQ+ Inclusive Services at Public Health Madison & Dane County
- Data Notes for the Week of March 17, 2022
- Where We Are in the COVID Pandemic
- Thank You Tour: Moving Forward Together
- Data Notes for the Week of March 10
- When a Dog Bites: How We Investigate to Prevent Further Aggression
- Data Notes for the Week of March 3, 2022
- Our 2021 Annual Report
- Data Notes for the Week of February 24, 2022
- If You’re Worried About the Mask Order Ending, Read This
- Data Notes for the Week of February 17
- In Their Own Words: Young Kids Tell Us About Their Experience Getting the COVID Vaccine
- Data Notes for the Week of February 10, 2022
- Is COVID Endemic Yet?
- Why We Chose to Vaccinate Our Young Kids Against COVID
- Data Notes for the Week of February 3
- Free COVID-19 Testing Options Continue to Expand
- Data Notes for the Week of January 27
- Getting Vaccinated While Pregnant was the Most Important Thing I’ve Done for My Baby
- Data Notes for the Week of January 20, 2022
- How to Get the Most Out of Your Mask
- Data Notes for the Week of January 13
- What do I do if I’m exposed to COVID-19?
- Am I Up to Date on My COVID Vaccinations?
- Data Notes for the Week of January 6, 2022
- What to do if you test positive for COVID-19?
- Data Notes for the Week of December 23
- Why Should I Get a Vaccine or Booster Now That Omicron Is Here?
- Data Notes for the Week of December 16
- Data Notes for the Week of December 9
- Data Notes for the Week of December 2
- COVID Spreads Easily Between Schools and Families: Getting 5-11 Year Olds Vaccinated is Important
- Omicron Variant: Info as of December 1, 2021
- Data Roundup: COVID Prevention in Schools
- Data Notes for the Week of October 28
- Who can get a booster dose of COVID-19 Vaccine: Eligibility Expansion
- Data Notes for the Week of October 21
- Protecting Our Water and Our Environment: A Day in the Life of our Well and Septic Team
- Data Notes for the Week of October 14
- Step-by-step of COVID-19 Testing at Public Health South Madison Clinic
- COVID News Roundup
- Data Notes for the Week of October 7
- Data Notes for the Week of September 30
- Who Should Get a Booster Shot in Dane County?
- Understanding Close Contact - Fall 2021 Update
- Booster Shots Authorized by CDC for Certain People Who Previously Received Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
- Data Notes for the Week of September 23
- The State of COVID-19 in Schools
- Data Notes for the Week of September 16
- Aurielle Smith Recognized by the de Beaumont Foundation as a Leader in Public Health
- Face Covering Emergency Order #2 Issued
- Data Notes for the Week of September 9
- Vaccine News Roundup
- Data Notes for the Week of September 2
- Breakthrough Infections and Impact of the Delta Variant
- Back-to-school Q&A for Parents
- Data Notes for the Week of August 26
- FDA grants full approval for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
- Data Notes for the Week of August 19
- Face Covering Emergency Order Issued
- CDC Announces Small Group of Severely Immunocompromised People Eligible for Additional Dose of Vaccine
- Data Notes for the Week of August 12
- How to Be a Vaccine Champion
- Data Notes for the Week of August 5
- The Latest Guidance & News from Public Health
- Data Notes for the Week of July 29
- Data Notes for the Week of July 22
- What You Need to Know About the Delta Variant
- Day in the Life: Beach Testing
- This is Public Health
- Data Notes for the Week of July 15
- Understanding Breakthrough Infections
- Data Notes for the Week of July 8
- Where Can I Get A COVID-19 Vaccine?
- We've Come So Far: A Look Back at the COVID Pandemic Compared to Today
- Where Can I Get Tested for COVID-19?
- Data Notes for the Week of July 1
- Data Notes for the Week of June 24
- Data Notes for the Week of June 17
- Statement: Supreme Court Decision Striking Down Authority to Close Schools
- Data Notes for the Week of June 10
- What it Takes to Host a Mobile Vaccination Clinic: From Initial Outreach to Getting Vaccinated
- Data Notes for the Week of June 2
- Data Notes for the Week of May 27
- Reminders Ahead of Your Memorial Day Weekend
- How Can I Talk to Someone About Getting Vaccinated?
- Data Notes for the Week of May 20
- With Orders Ending June 2, What About My Unvaccinated Kids?
- Public Health Will Lift All Dane County Orders June 2
- Data Notes for the Week of May 13
- Data Notes for the Week of May 6
- Getting Your 12-15 Year Old Vaccinated
- Celebrating Safer this Weekend
- Fully Vaccinated & Masks: What are the Rules?
- Data Notes for the Week of April 29
- Dane County Public Health Requirements for May 5, 2021
- How Variants Affect COVID Risk For Children And Adults
- Data Notes for the Week of April 22
- Herd Immunity and Vaccine Equity: How We Look at Vaccine Coverage in Different Ways
- Childcare Center Outbreak: Understanding How it Spread
- Data Notes for the Week of April 15
- How Can I Get an Appointment at Alliant Energy Center For a Vaccine?
- Data Notes for the Week of April 8
- What Can You Do Once You're Fully Vaccinated for COVID-19?
- Dane County Public Health Requirements Starting April 7, 2021
- Data Notes for the Week of April 1
- Dane County COVID-19 Data Continues to Improve
- Data Notes for the Week of March 25
- Data Notes for the Week of March 18
- What’s Allowed in Emergency Order #14 Amendment?
- Unpacking Gathering Requirements and How They Apply to Businesses
- Data Notes for the Week of March 11
- Why are We Opening Up When Not Everyone is Vaccinated?
- Data Notes for the Week of March 4
- Which Vaccine Should I Get? The One You’re Offered!
- What’s Allowed in Emergency Order #14?
- Data Notes for the Week of February 25
- Lowering Your COVID-19 Risk
- Data Notes for the Week of February 18
- Data Notes for the Week of February 11
- What’s Allowed in Emergency Order #13?
- New Vaccination Data on Dashboard and Upcoming Vaccination Town Hall
- Vaccine Supply, Demand, and Our Efforts to Ramp Up
- Data Notes for the Week of February 4
- It’s Time for a Mask Check-In!
- Data Notes for the Week of January 28
- How Will Vaccination Impact Dane County’s COVID Metrics?
- A Behind the Scenes Look at COVID-19 Testing
- Data Notes for the Week of January 21
- Data Notes for the Week of January 14
- What’s Allowed in Emergency Order #12?
- Data Notes for the Week of January 7
- Is Your Breakroom Helping Spread COVID?
- Data Notes for the Week of December 30
- A message of thanks from Public Health Madison & Dane County
- Data Notes for the Week of December 23
- How We Know the COVID-19 Vaccine is Safe
- Data Notes for the Week of December 17
- COVID-19 Vaccine: Who Gets It First And Why?
- What’s Allowed in Emergency Order #11?
- A COVID Vaccine Has Been Authorized
- Close Contacts Now have Quarantine Options
- Data Notes for the Week of December 10
- Providing Support to People in Isolation Helps Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
- Data Notes for the Week of December 3
- Tips for A Healthier Holiday Season
- Data Notes for the Week of November 25
- What COVID-19 Testing Can and Can't Tell Us
- Data Notes for the Week November 19
- What's Allowed in Emergency Order #10?
- Public Health Madison & Dane County Issues New Emergency Order #10
- Socializing More Safely This Winter: How To Form A Bubble or Pod
- How to See Family and Friends More Safely Over the Holidays
- Understanding Close Contact
- Data Notes for the Week of November 12
- When to Isolate, When to Quarantine
- Data Notes for the Week of November 5
- Employer Notification Of Employees With COVID-19
- Data Notes for the Week of October 29
- Data Notes for the Week of October 22
- Understanding ‘Clusters’
- Statewide Database Down for Planned Maintenance: October 16-18
- Data Notes for the Week of October 15
- These Next Few Weeks are a Pivotal Moment for Our County and Our State
- Data Notes for the Week of October 8
- Data Notes for the Week of October 1
- Understanding Percent Positivity
- Data Notes for the Week of September 24
- How We're Assessing if UW Cases have Spread Beyond Campus
- For Public Health, Preparing for Emergencies Never Ends
- Data Notes for the Week of September 17
- Public Health Madison & Dane County and the City of Madison Police Department are Partnering to Increase Compliance with Public Health Orders
- Statement Regarding State Supreme Court Action on Public Health Order
- Data Notes for the Week of September 10
- Community Update Following Spike in Cases of COVID-19
- UW, Public Health act to stop COVID-19 spread in fraternity, sorority houses
- Data Notes for the Week of September 3
- Data Notes for the Week of August 27
- Data Notes for the Week of August 20
- Health is a Human Right and We All Play a Role
- Data Snapshot Coming on August 20
- How We Have Made Decisions During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Data Notes for the Week of August 10
- COVID-19 Contact Tracing: When Public Health Calls and When It’s a Scam
- Data Notes for the Week of August 3
- Data Notes For the Week of July 27
- Percent Positivity Updated on our Dashboard as Backlog of Negative Tests are Entered
- We Can All Be Part of the Solution to the Pandemic
- Data Notes for the Week of July 20
- Data Notes for the Week of July 13
- Put your mask on; leave the enforcing to us
- Data Notes for the Week of July 6
- How to Lower Your Risk While Celebrating 4th of July
- Protests are not currently associated with Dane County's rise in COVID-19 cases
- Data Notes for the Week of June 29
- A Day in the Life of the Data Team
- Data Notes for the Week of June 22
- Help Break the Chain of COVID-19 Transmission--Your Actions Affect Others
- Inequities Evident in Dane County COVID-19 Data
- Data Will Guide Phase 2 Public Health Order
- Understanding the Big Picture: Trends in Data Provide Perspective
- Fighting for racial justice is essential, even in a pandemic
Categories
- All Posts »
- About PHMDC (22)
- Community Initiatives (8)
- Environmental Health (11)
- Health & Wellness (263)
Tags
- Animal Services
- Annual Report
- Beaches
- Boosters
- COVID
- COVID-19
- COVID-19 Data
- COVID-19 Vaccine
- Emergency Preparedness
- flooding
- flu
- Flu Vaccine
- LGBTQ
- maternal health
- Monkeypox
- mosquito
- Overdose Prevention
- PFAS
- Public Health
- Radon
- reproductive health
- Road Salt
- RSV
- sanitarians
- sexual health
- This is Public Health
- UBI
- Vaccine
- Water Quality
- Well and septic
- wic