Chippewa Valley Times

Eau Claire, WI – In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31, the Eau Claire City-County Health Department and the Eau Claire Health Alliance are inviting the public to attend a free workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 22. 

At the workshop, attendees will learn about opioids, how to respond to an overdose, how to safely store opioid medication, and how to use harm reduction tools like Narcan. “At the workshop you’ll learn how to recognize the signs and how to respond to a potential overdose,” says Sarah Dillivan-Pospisil, Public Health Specialist. “Familiarizing yourself with local resources like this is a meaningful way to honor the many people in our community who are deeply impacted by overdoses and an opportunity to learn how to keep others safe.” 

Opioids range from prescription pain relievers to illegal drugs like heroin and fentanyl. All opioids are addictive. Fentanyl-related overdose is now the top cause of death in Wisconsin residents ages 25 to 54, a recent study found. In Eau Claire County, opioid-related deaths increased by 83% between 2015 and 2021.

What to know about the workshop:

• WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 22 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

• WHERE: L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, Riverview Room

(room 306), 400 Eau Claire St.

• WHO: Open to the public

• COST: Free. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

• TO REGISTER: Click here, scan the QR code above with your phone camera, or visit

GetInvolvedASAP.org and click on the “What Do You Know About Opioids?” tab.

Register by Monday, Aug. 21.

• Attendees will learn how to use fentanyl test strips and how to use Narcan nasal spray to reverse an overdose, and will be able to take both home if desired. 

Here are some ways that you can help prevent an overdose:

• Access free Narcan and fentanyl test strips from the harm reduction vending machine, located in the lobby of the Eau Claire County Jail (710 2nd Ave., Eau Claire). The repurposed vending machine, a collaboration between the Health Department and the Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office, opened in June and offers free Narcan and fentanyl test strips to the public seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Anyone can use the vending machine at any time of day, no questions asked. Get more information here.

• Find support groups and treatment resources in the Chippewa Valley by clicking here.

• Keep an eye out for an overdose prevention video the next time you’re filling up at the gas station in Eau Claire County. From August 1 to August 31, watch our short video via Gas Station TV to learn about the signs of an opioid overdose.

• Use a lockbox, lock bag, or locked drawer and hide the key to keep opioid medication safe and out of sight.

• Dispose of your unused or expired medication at one of the permanent drop-off locations in Eau Claire County, or use a medication deactivation system. 

Original source can be found here.