Senator Baldwin Talks Tackling Opioid Epidemic, Threat of Potential Funding Cut at UW-Madison Opioid Center

MADISON, WI – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) visited UW-Madison to discuss $2 million she secured for the Wisconsin Opioid Overdose Response Center to help combat the fentanyl crisis across Wisconsin. However, this funding could be in jeopardy as the Trump administration continues to push cuts to federal funding Wisconsinites rely on – including to combat the opioid epidemic.

“I’ve heard from countless Wisconsinites who have lost friends, family, neighbors, and loved ones to this epidemic. Whether it’s stopping drugs from coming into the country or supporting Wisconsin universities’ groundbreaking research, I’m committed to fighting the opioid crisis on all fronts,” said Senator Baldwin. “The work being done here will save lives – and that’s why I’m sending a loud and clear message that the President cannot cut off funding for vital programs like these.”

With the Baldwin-backed support, UW-Madison’s Wisconsin Opioid Overdose Response Center is set to launch this year to provide community pharmacies around Wisconsin resources including educational information on treating overdoses, life-saving naloxone, and fentanyl testing strips. The regional center, to be based at the UW-Madison School of Pharmacy, will combat the opioid crisis with a special focus on fentanyl, which accounts for over 75% of annual opioid overdose deaths. During her visit, Senator Baldwin also toured labs where Wisconsin researchers are working on developing lifesaving treatments for opioid use disorders.

Senator Baldwin is committed to delivering the resources Wisconsin needs to turn the tide on this epidemic and save lives. Among other actions, her FEND Off Fentanyl Act, signed in to law last year, will stem the flow of the drug from coming into the U.S. by cracking down on Chinese chemical suppliers and Mexican cartels. Senator Baldwin also wrote an annual funding bill that delivers $4.6 billion nationwide to support substance use prevention and treatment efforts.

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