Public Health

An overdose happens when someone takes too much of an illicit drug or a combination of them. It may be difficult to recognize if someone is experiencing an overdose, so if you’re unsure, it’s safest to treat the situation as an overdose. Acting quickly can save a life.

The most common signs to look for include:

• Responsiveness or unconscious
• Slowed or stopped breathing
• Snowing or rattling sounds
• Cold or clammy skin
• Discolored lips or fingernails

Responding to an overdose incident might be scary, but it’s better to be prepared for any event. Here are a few things to do when you are responding to an overdose:

• Try to wake the person up.
  • If the person doesn’t respond to your voice, try rubbing your knuckles firmly over the center of their chest. Call 911 immediately. You should contact emergency services regardless, as their unconsciousness may have a cause other than an opioid overdose.
• Start rescue breathing if the person’s breath is slow or has stopped.
  • If you feel comfortable providing rescue breathing, first check that the person’s mouth is clear. Pinch their nose and give one breath into their mouth every five seconds. Continue for about 30 seconds. If you need assistance, the 911 operator can guide you through the steps.
• Give naloxone if you have it. 
  • Naloxone is a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, but it works only on opioid-related drugs. You should still call 911, as the person may have taken other substancesA kind of matter with a specific composition and properties or there may be another medical issue causing their unconsciousness.
• Put the person in recovery position. 
  • Once the person is breathing again, put them on their side with their top leg and arm crossed over the body to prevent choking. Stick around and keep an eye on the person until emergency help arrives.

The widespread availability of both illicit substancesA kind of matter with a specific composition and properties, such as fentanyl and heroin, and the misuse of prescription opioids continue to drive overdose rates. Preventing opioid overdoses starts with education, safe use, and community awareness. Individuals should take prescription opioids only as directed, avoid mixing them with alcohol or other drugs, and seek help if they develop dependence or misuse. Keeping Narcan (naloxone) on hand can save lives.

Narcan is a safe, easy-to-use medication that can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Anyone who suspects an overdose should call 911 immediately and administer Narcan if available. Expanding access to Narcan and encouraging its use among family members, friends, and community members can make a critical difference in preventing overdose deaths.

You can receive Narcan, other resources and information through our Syringe Access program at the City of Racine Public Health Department or through our Mail Me Narcan program.

To receive free Narcan (naloxone), visit one of our three public health vending machines throughout the City of Racine. The vending machines also contain other supplies to help protect yourself, friends and family.

A variety of businesses, organizations, and agencies throughout Racine have partnered with the Public Health Department to provide free Naloxone (Narcan), overdose prevention supplies, and other harm reduction resources to community members.

Use the Harm Reduction Map to quickly locate nearby sites offering Naloxone, fentanyl test strips, Xylazine test strips and other prevention resources. Simply filter by the item type you need to find participating locations. While the map is updated regularly, some items may occasionally be out of stock at certain locations, including Public Health vending machines or community partner sites.

The City of Racine Public Health Department is committed to expanding access to Naloxone and overdose prevention resources to help save lives, reduce harm, and connect residents with treatment, recovery, and support services throughout the community.

Here is a text-based version of the map locations to improve accessibility and make it easier to browse the information in a clear, straightforward format.

If you are traveling to other parts of the state or are visiting from outside the area, you can explore resources from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to learn more about where to access free Narcan (Naloxone). DHS also provides a statewide map of locations offering free Naloxone and other overdose prevention resources.