ICYMI: Baldwin Hosts Roundtable in Appleton to Discuss Combatting the Fentanyl and Opioid Epidemic

WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin hosted a roundtable in Appleton to discuss her efforts to address the fentanyl, tranq, and opioid epidemic. She also visited local businesses and met with leaders in Oconto that received support from the American Rescue Plan Act, which Baldwin supported, to help Wisconsin small businesses weather the pandemic and grow the local economy.

In Appleton, Senator Baldwin met at ACOCA Coffee and Café with local partners who are actively involved in opioid prevention and harm reduction efforts in the Appleton area. Communities across Wisconsin are struggling to combat the opioid epidemic, especially the rise of synthetic drugs like fentanyl and tranq. From 2021 to 2022, synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, were identified in 91 percent of opioid overdose deaths and 73 percent of all drug overdose deaths in Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health.

“I’ve heard from too many families that have lost a loved one too soon to the opioid epidemic. The fentanyl, tranq, and opioid epidemic impacts every community across Wisconsin, and I am committed to doing more to protect our communities and save lives,” said Senator Baldwin. “We need to combat this deadly epidemic on all fronts – from making sure that these drugs cannot come into our country, to ensuring our communities have the life-saving overdose reversal drugs.”

Senator Baldwin highlighted that her bipartisan legislation to cut off the supply chains for synthetic opioids like fentanyl advanced in the Senate as part of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. Senator Baldwin has also worked to increase access to the opioid reversal drug naloxone and increase resources for local and Tribal communities to better combat the opioid and substance use disorder epidemic, successfully including funding for both programs in last year’s budget. 

Senator Baldwin also joined local businesses in Oconto to learn how the American Rescue Plan and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which Baldwin voted for, helped main streets across Wisconsin keep their doors open through the pandemic. Senator Baldwin visited The Shop, an art studio, coffee and gift shop, and The Secret Garden, a garden shop, before hosting a roundtable with local leaders and the Oconto County Economic Development Corporation to discuss the continued support Wisconsin main streets need to grow, create jobs, and strengthen local communities.

“Our small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, and I am dedicated to ensuring they have the tools they need to reach new customers, grow their businesses, and keep our communities strong,” said Senator Baldwin. “It was great to see firsthand how the American Rescue Plan that I voted for is helping Wisconsin’s small businesses bounce back from the pandemic, support local jobs, and grow our Wisconsin economy.”

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