Law Enforcement Overdose Prevention Program

The Division of Care and Treatment Services is providing nasal naloxone, fentanyl test strip kits, and xylazine test strip kits to law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin operating leave behind programs.

Eligible applicants

This DHS Law Enforcement Overdose Prevention Program is open to Tribal nation law enforcement agencies, county sheriff's offices, municipal law enforcement agencies (city, town, village), and state law enforcement agencies (State Patrol, Wisconsin State Capitol Police Department, etc.).

Program overview

Leave behind programs allow law enforcement professionals to share (“leave behind”) overdose prevention tools and resources at the scene of care with the person and/or their social networks (family, friends, roommates, etc.). Leave behind programs also offer opportunities to provide connections to local treatment providers and overdose prevention organizations. This model presents an opportunity to provide the supplies and support people who use substances need to prevent and reduce health and safety complications.

Law enforcement agencies interested in receiving free nasal naloxone, fentanyl test strip kits, and/or xylazine test strip kits for community distribution as part of a leave behind program are invited to complete the application form linked in the "solicitation links" section to be considered for this DHS Law Enforcement Overdose Prevention Program.

Naloxone

Naloxone is a medication that reverses opioid overdoses. Naloxone works by replacing opioids at the brain receptor level, then blocking the receptors to prevent opioids from reattaching. Naloxone has a shelf life of three years and should be stored at room temperature (60° to 80°F). See Wis. Stat. § 450.11(1i)(b) for state law on possessing, dispensing, and delivering naloxone.

The DHS Law Enforcement Overdose Prevention Program will provide the generic 4mg nasal naloxone from Padagis. Generic nasal naloxone has been shown to be as effective as brand name naloxone.

Naloxone will be shipped in cases of 12 kits. Each kit contains two, 4mg doses of naloxone. Therefore, each case includes 24 total doses.

Fentanyl test strip kits

Fentanyl test strip kits contain three fentanyl test strips, three mixing tins, three sterile waters, and three 10mg scoops.

Instructions for using fentanyl test strips should be printed from the DHS website and included with with each fentanyl test strip kit: fentanyl test strip instructions

Xylazine test strip kits

Xylazine test strip kits contain three xylazine test strips, three mixing tins, three sterile waters, and three 10mg scoops.

Instructions for using xylazine test strips should be printed from the DHS website and included with with each fentanyl test strip kit: xylazine test stirp instructions

Fentanyl and xylazine test strips were decriminalized in Wisconsin through 2021 Wisconsin Act 180 and 2023 Wisconsin Act 217 .

The Division of Care and Treatment Services will notify applicants accepted into the DHS Law Enforcement Overdose Prevention. This notification will include the number of naloxone cases, number of fentanyl and/or xylazine test strip kits awarded to the applicant, and instructions on how to report information regarding training and distribution efforts.

All awarded supplies will be ordered and shipped in full to accepted applicants. This is a one-time opportunity. When completing this application, estimate the amount of supplies needed for one year.

Program timeline

• April 19, 2026: Applications due by 11:59 p.m.
• April 30, 2026: Approved applicants contacted
• May 2026 through July 2026: Approved applicants receive all awarded supplies for distribution
• May 2026 through May 2027: Approved applicants submit monthly outcome reports to the Division of Care and Treatment Services

Program requirements

All applicants participating in the DHS Law Enforcement Overdose Prevention program must:

• Designate a point of contact who is responsible for ensuring all officers have completed appropriate training (examples: naloxone administration through ACADIS, naloxone distribution, distribution of fentanyl test strip kits, etc.)
• Have a designated point person to track and report program related data through May 2027.

Report monthly naloxone data within the REDCap system through May 2027, including:

• For applicants distributing naloxone to community members:
  • Number of naloxone kits distributed
• For applicants using naloxone during an emergency response:
  • Number of naloxone kits distributed to law enforcement
  • Number of naloxone doses administered by law enforcement, with the following details:
    • Number of people who naloxone was administered to at the scene of an emergency by population type (community members, law enforcement officer, etc.)
    • Number of doses administered per individual per response
    • Outcome of naloxone administration (examples: overdose reversal, fatal overdose, transferred to care/EMS, refused care, etc.)

Report monthly test strip kit distribution within the REDCap system through May 2027, including:

• Number of people served (given test strip kits)
• Number of fentanyl test strip kits distributed
• Number of xylazine test strip kits distributed

Fentanyl test stirps and xylazine test strips received through this program must be distributed to community members.

Send questions about the DHS Law Enforcement Overdose Prevention Program and this application to DHSDCTSNaloxoneDirect@dhs.wisconsin.gov .