Drop in drug deaths, suicides linked to programs

The number of suicides and drug overdose deaths in Ozaukee County and around the state is higher than it was a few years ago, but those numbers have dropped recently thanks to efforts being implemented by local agencies, officials say.

From 2021 to 2024, there were 96 suicides and 129 fatal overdoses across Washington and Ozaukee Counties, according to the Washington Ozaukee County Public Health Department. 

The department did not provide Ozaukee County-specific data, but according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services there were 10 overdose deaths in the county in 2024, down from 15 in 2023 and 18 in 2021. 

All 10 deaths in 2024 were men and all between the ages of 18 and 44, according to state data.

Ozaukee County Undersheriff Marshall Hermann said that deputies have responded to seven drug overdoses this year, with five of them proving fatal.

Last year, deputies responded to seven overdoses, four of them fatal, he said.

Those numbers do not include calls that went to municipal police departments.

Counting suicide deaths is more problematic, Ozaukee County Health Services Director Kimberly Falkner said.

“Our department doesn’t have that comprehensive suicide data, as many situations may not warrant our department involvement,” she said.

The state also doesn’t provide county-specific data but divides regions of the state into rural and urban and averages the number of suicides between them.

The suicide rate for urban areas, which includes Ozaukee County, is just more than 14 suicides per 100,000 population. Ozaukee County’s population was about 94,000 in 2024, according to census data.  The rural rate is about 15 per 1,000.

In 2023, the number of suicides in Wisconsin was 921, down from an all-time high of 932 in 2022.

Public Health Director Kim Buechler did not respond to requests for county-specific suicide information.

Falkner said one reason the number of overdoses seems to have plateaued or even dropped is the increased availability of Narcan, which helps reverse the effects of opioid drugs, and fentanyl test strips, which help users detect the presence of fentanyl in cocaine, marijuana and other substances.

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an anesthetic. It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin, according to the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.

Its use can cause death due to respiratory failure.

“We have made efforts over the past few years for community awareness, Narcan and fentanyl test strip availability, grant availability for residential treatment, training for county staff and greater access to treatment,” Falkner said. “Our department’s effort in collaboration with community partners has made an impact on that decline.”

Those efforts include the installation of a  box in the entryway of the Nonprofit Center, 2360 Dakota Dr., Grafton, by the Public Health Department that provides Narcan for free.

Nonprofit Center CEO Carissa Barnes said the box was installed on July 31 and only a few people have so far taken advantage of it.

“But we haven’t promoted it much, which we plan to do in the coming weeks,” she said.

The Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office and the Human Services Department have formed two so-called co-responder units comprised of a social worker and deputy who respond to highly charged crisis events involving drug use or mental health issues.

The teams also work proactively with those known to be dealing with addiction and mental health issues to help stave off crisis incidents.

Plans call for forming another unit, Sheriff Christy Knowles has said. 

In addition, almost every law enforcement officer in the county has completed training on how to deal with crisis situations under a program that was created under former Sheriff Jim Johnson and headed by Knowles. 

The Public Health Department recently announced a new initiative called a “fatality review team” that officials hope will identify underlying causes and trends in suicide and substance use and recognize and address gaps or barriers in services. 

“A fatality review team allows us to learn from each tragedy,” Knowles said. “By reviewing cases in-depth, we can identify missed opportunities, improve our systems and take proactive steps toward saving lives.”

Members of the team, which is being headed by the Public Health Department, have not been announced, but it will include representatives from each county’s human services, medical examiner’s and sheriff’s offices.

A meeting schedule has not been announced but it’s expected the team will meet after suicides or overdose deaths have occurred.

“Any time we can come together to discuss how to prevent a death that is preventable is important,” Knowles said. “This benefits everyone involved, from how to respond to early intervention and beyond.”

In a press release, Buechler said:,“Suicide is a serious public health issue with far-reaching consequences for individuals, families and communities. Loneliness and isolation can be profound threats to well-being.

“Research shows that feeling connected to family, friends, community and available resources significantly reduces the risk of suicide.” 

Buechler said the team’s other goals include developing prevention strategies targeting mental health and substance use and to recommend policy or program changes at local and state levels.

Falkner welcomes the creation of the team.

“The Fatality Review Team represents an exciting partnership of experienced, focused agencies dedicated to improving community safety and well being. Through a multidisciplinary review, we gain a deeper understanding of the factors involved and identify ways to strengthen our practices, enhance collaboration and ultimately prevent future tragedies,” she said.

Falkner noted that her department offers walk-in crisis and therapy slots Monday through Friday during business hours in the county Administration Center, 121 W. Main St., in downtown Port Washington.

Residents can learn the warning signs of suicidal thinking online at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-someone-else/.

Other resources include:

• Call or text 988 for 24/7, confidential mental health crisis support.

• Call 211 for help finding local services and treatment options.

• Text “HELLO” to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line.

• Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.