Through a collaborative effort between Ascension Wisconsin, the Ascension Wisconsin Foundation, Behavioral Health Services of Racine County and the City of Milwaukee Health Department, Ascension Wisconsin has reached the milestone of dispensing 2,000 nasal naloxone kits statewide to patients at risk of opioid overdose, free of charge.
Since 2019, emergency departments at Ascension Wisconsin hospitals have been dispensing nasal naloxone kits—also known by the brand name Narcan—at no cost to patients who are at high risk of overdose. Dr. Julianna Doniere, emergency medicine physician with Ascension Wisconsin, identified the need for the distribution of these kits, and started the program at Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital - St. Joseph Campus. By the spring of 2022, it was expanded to all Ascension hospitals across Wisconsin. The kits are provided by the Ascension Wisconsin Foundation, Behavioral Health Services of Racine County and the City of Milwaukee Health Department.
“Any patient, or loved one of a patient, who is discharged from an Ascension Wisconsin emergency department, and is considered a high risk for opioid overdose is eligible to be sent home with a free nasal naloxone kit,” said Dr. Chris Ford, an emergency medicine physician with Ascension Wisconsin. “Having Narcan on hand can be the crucial difference between life and death when someone experiences an overdose.” Narcan can rapidly reverse the life-threatening effects of opioids, such as fentanyl, and it is the standard treatment for opioid overdose.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, deaths from opioid overdose in Wisconsin had been steadily increasing until 2022. However, deaths decreased by 35% from 2023 to 2024 in Wisconsin, and 27% nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although many factors may contribute to the declining numbers, the FDA’s approval of the over-the-counter sale of Narcan in 2023 may be playing a significant role.
“One opioid overdose death is too many. It’s our job to identify patients who are at risk and provide them with the tools to reduce that risk,” said Mohammad Kharbat, Vice President of Pharmacy Services at Ascension Wisconsin. “When a patient receives Narcan, they are also educated about the signs of an opioid overdose and how to administer the medication.”
Ascension Wisconsin remains deeply committed to caring for those most at risk and expanding access to essential resources in our communities.
“This life-saving effort is a powerful step forward in combating the opioid crisis, empowering individuals with the tools they need to prevent opioid overdose deaths, and support recovery,” said Peggy Lutz, RN, Director of Nursing and Quality Management at Ascension Wisconsin. “Together, we’re making a real difference. Each kit has the potential to save a life and offer a pathway toward healing.”
Asking for Help
Experiencing substance use or other addiction can make daily life and relationships difficult and should not be ignored. Care teams at Ascension Wisconsin sites of care help treat addiction and substance use disorders and deliver therapies that focus on patients’ needs. Reaching out for support for addiction is an important step that takes courage. Ascension Wisconsin has dedicated treatment programs for adolescents and adults. You can also call or text 988 for the Dept. of Health Services crisis hotline for help.
