Epidemiology of Xylazine-Positive Fatal Overdoses in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, 2019-2023. WMJ 2025;124(2):148-152
Date
07/21/2025Pubmed ID
40690635Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105011842714 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Xylazine association with fentanyl poses an emerging threat to public health. We conducted a retrospective study to analyze xylazine-related fatal overdoses in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin from 2019 through 2023.
METHODS: Using medical examiner data, we compared fatal xylazine overdoses (n = 243) with fentanyl overdoses without xylazine (n = 1946). Demographic, polysubstance, temporal, and geographic characteristics were analyzed.
RESULTS: Xylazine fatalities have surged since 2019, exhibiting different polysubstance profiles than fentanyl overdoses without xylazine. We identified 8 geospatial clusters contributing to 64% of xylazine overdoses.
DISCUSSION: We encourage localized interventions to address the xylazine-fentanyl syndemic. Policy measures such as Wisconsin Act 217, which legalized xylazine testing materials, promote evidence-based harm reduction tools to mitigate the risks associated with xylazine's increasing prevalence in the Midwest.
Author List
Mantych M, Laibly C, Russell H, Beyer KMM, Zhou Y, Anguzu RAuthors
Ronald Anguzu MD, PhD Assistant Professor in the Institute for Health and Humanity department at Medical College of WisconsinKirsten M. Beyer PhD, MPH Professor in the Institute for Health and Humanity department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Aged
Drug Overdose
Female
Fentanyl
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Wisconsin
Xylazine
Young Adult
