Overdose deaths in Dane County continue to fall even as short-term spikes raise alarms from local public health officials.
Preliminary data figures show 118 people died from overdoses in 2024 — down 20% from 144 in 2023 and well below the 2021 peak of 166, according to data from Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC). The numbers reflect progress, but health officials caution that sudden surges show the ongoing risks of drug use in the community.
“When you look at a big picture of the last five years, you can see that the data from this year is significantly lower,” Morgan Finke, Communication Coordinator for PHMDC, told The Daily Cardinal.
Still, short-term surges remain a concern. In July, the agency issued an overdose spike alert after five overdoses were reported in 24 hours, nearly a year after a similar alert in 2024.
Public Health issues a spike alert when hospital and ambulance data show “unexpected increases, or spikes, in drug-related overdoses.” Finke said the alerts don’t typically trigger additional resources, but rather aim to raise public awareness and highlight existing resources.
Finke compared the alerts to tornado warnings: “Just the same as meteorologists monitor data, we monitor data relating to overdoses. So when we see that this data is indicating an increased risk, based on a number of different factors, we will let the public know that there is an overdose risk that is potentially heightened.”
PHMDC said the exact cause of the July spike was unclear.
“It is possible that the make-up of street drugs in our community changed and could include a different mixture of opiates, fentanyl, or other synthetic drugs,” the agency explained in a statement.
Jake Wesson is a staff writer and photographer for The Daily Cardinal. He has written stories covering politics, protests, public safety and more. You can follow him on Twitter @jake_wesson11.
