As International Overdose Awareness Day approaches, a local event aims to educate the
community about the overdose crisis and what can be done to prevent further tragedies.
“What’s New with Overdose Prevention in Kenosha” will be held from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 28, at Professional Services Group, 2108 63rd St.
The event will feature Human Services on the Go resources with information from Kenosha
County Behavioral Health Services, PSG and Rogers Behavioral Health. Free Narcan training
and fentanyl test strips will be available.
A brief program at 4:30 p.m. will include the presentation of a proclamation by County
Executive Samantha Kerkman, the sharing of a recovery story, and a spiritual thanksgiving.
“Each year, hundreds of thousands of people around the world are lost to overdoses,” Kerkman
said. There are survivors, but sometimes they suffer permanent injury. Families and friends are
impacted by the loss of their loved ones. All of us are affected in some way.”
Kenosha County is not immune to these tragedies. In 2023, the county experienced 58 overdose
deaths, with 43 involving fentanyl and/or fentanyl analogs. Statistics for 2024 and 2025 are still
pending, though they are tracking slightly lower than the 2023 numbers.
“For too long, the overdose crisis has been hidden in the shadows,” said Kari Foss, director of
the county’s Division of Behavioral Health Services.
“Together with Kenosha County Public
Health and other partners, we have worked for the past several years to bring awareness of the
overdose crisis to our community through the distribution of fentanyl test strips, Narcan training,
and, starting last year, recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day.
8600 Sheridan Road • Kenosha, WI 53140 • 262-605-6788