UW Health: Emergency rooms see increase in opioid overdoses

MADISON, Wis (WKBT) — Emergency rooms nationwide are seeing a massive increase in opioid overdoses.

UW Health estimates that in 2022, nearly 583 people arrived for care related to an opioid overdose.

While ERs are designed to handle overdoses, they take a toll on everyone involved.

One UW expert says that people are often unaware of how potent those drugs can be.

“People who are using drugs may not be aware that the substances they are using have fentanyl in them, which results in a higher rate of overdose due to significant increased potency.” said UW Emergency Medical Physician Dr. Collin Michels.

UW hopes to help support more people struggling with substance use disorders to gain access to treatment.

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