logo
Brief Publisher Logo
FACT BRIEF

Was fentanyl responsible for more than 1,200 deaths in Wisconsin last year?

By Hope Karnopp
View this fact brief on Wisconsin Watch
Copy link
email
Copy featured image
email
YES

In 2021, 1,280 people died of fentanyl overdose in Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

In 2019, 651 such deaths occurred, marking a 97% increase.

In August, DHS issued a public health advisory about the increase in overdose deaths related to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.

"Over the last year, synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, were identified in 91 percent of opioid overdose deaths and 73 percent of all drug overdose deaths," the DHS advisory stated. 

Republican 3rd Congressional District candidate Derrick Van Orden blames an "open border" with Mexico for the influx. 

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said in a 2020 report that while Mexico is a source of fentanyl, China is the biggest contributor.

"Currently, China remains the primary source of fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances," the agency said, either shipping it by consignment or sending fentanyl or its components through the mail. 

Content Image
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says China is the biggest source of fentanyl to the country
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Wisconsin Department of Health Services DHS Issues Public Health Advisory to Warn of the Risks of Death from Drugs Laced with Fentanyl
Wisconsin Department of Health Services Public Health Advisory: Fentanyl Increasingly Present in Overdose Deaths in Wisconsin
Drug Enforcement Administration Fentanyl Flow to the United States
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
FACT BRIEF BY
Brief Publisher Logo
Latest fact briefs from Wisconsin Watch
facebook
twitter
email
email
About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.