Law Enforcement Harm Reduction Program

The Division of Care and Treatment Services is providing nasal naloxone and fentanyl test strip kits to law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin operating leave behind programs. Complete the application linked below by 11:59 p.m. April 15, 2025, to apply for supplies.  

Overview

The purpose of this one-time opportunity is to request applications from law enforcement agencies interested in distributing nasal naloxone and fentanyl test strip kits to community members in an attempt to prevent drug overdoses and save lives. Through this opportunity, law enforcement agencies will receive nasal naloxone and fentanyl test strip kits at no cost. 

Naloxone is a medication that reverses opioid overdoses. It works by removing opioids at the brain receptor level, then blocking the brain receptors to prevent opioids from reattaching. It has a shelf life of four years and should be stored at room temperature (60°F to 80°F). This opportunity provides NARCAN®, a brand of nasal naloxone. State law allows for the possession, dispensing, and delivery of naloxone [Wis. Stat. § 450.11(1i)(b)]. 

Fentanyl test strips are a low-cost method of informing an individual of the presence of fentanyl in a substance. Using fentanyl test strips empowers the individual to make an informed decision about their substance use. Results indicating the sample is positive or negative for fentanyl are available within three minutes. This opportunity provides fentanyl test strip kits or individual plastic bags that contain one of each of the following items: fentanyl test strip, mixing tin, sterile water, and a 10mg scoop. Simple instructions for using fentanyl test strips are available from the Division of Care and Treatment Services (PDF). They should be printed and included with the fentanyl test strip kits. State law allows for the distribution, possession, and use of fentanyl test strips [Wis. Stat. § 961.571(1)(b)].

Leave behind programs allow law enforcement professionals to distribute (leave behind) drug overdose prevention tools and resources at the scene of care with the person experiencing a drug overdose and/or their social networks (family, friends, roommates, etc.). Leave behind programs also create opportunities to provide the person and/or their social networks connections to local treatment providers, harm reduction organizations, and other behavioral health supports.

Drug overdose survivors face an increased risk of having a fatal drug overdose in the future. The supplies shared through leave behind programs can reverse an opioid overdose and keep the individual alive if administered in time. 

Law enforcement agencies may also use the provided nasal naloxone when responding to a drug overdose in the community. The fentanyl test strips provided by through this opportunity are for community distribution only.

When completing the application for the Law Enforcement Harm Reduction Program, please estimate the amount of supplies needed to support one year of program needs

Eligible applicants

The following types of law enforcement agencies providing services in Wisconsin may apply to participate in the Law Enforcement Harm Reduction Program:

• Municipal law enforcement agencies
• Sheriff's offices
• State law enforcement agencies (Capitol Police, State Patrol)
• Tribal nation law enforcement agencies

Program timeline

• April 15, 2025: Applications due.
• May 6, 2025 (estimated): Applicants accepted into the program will be notified by the Bureau of Prevention Treatment and Recovery. This notification will include the number of nasal naloxone cases (each case contains 12 two-dose kits--a total of 24 doses) and number of fentanyl test strip kits awarded to the applicant, and instructions on how to report information regarding training and distribution efforts.
• May through July 2025 (estimated): All approved supplies will be ordered and mailed at one time to all accepted applicants.
• May 2025 through May 2026: Approved applicants submit monthly outcome reports.

Program requirements

All agencies participating in the Law Enforcement Harm Reduction program must do all of the following.

Use of supplies
Agree fentanyl test strip kits will be distributed to community members and not used for law enforcement activities.

Points of contact

• Designate a person to be responsible for ensuring all officers in the agency handling the supplies have completed appropriate training (examples: training on naloxone administration through ACADIS, training on naloxone distribution, training on use of fentanyl test kits, etc.).  
• Designate a person to track and report program related data through May 2026.
• Notify the Bureau of Prevention Treatment and Recovery within two weeks of a change to the agency's contact person and/or the agency's data and reporting contact.

Data collection

• Report monthly fentanyl test strip kit distribution within the REDCap system through May 2026, including:
  • Number of people served (given fentanyl test strip kits).
  • Number of fentanyl test strip kits distributed.
• Report monthly naloxone training, administration, distribution, and refills provided within the REDCap system through May 2026, including:
  • For naloxone distributed to community members:
    • Number of naloxone kits distributed to individuals at high risk of a drug overdose.
    • Number of naloxone kits distributed to the families, friends, partners of individuals at high risk of a drug overdose.  
  • For naloxone used during an emergency response:
    • Number of naloxone kits distributed to law enforcement officers.
    • Amount of naloxone administered by law enforcement officers, with the following details:
      • Number of people(s) 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.).

Questions

Send questions about the Law Enforcement Harm Reduction Program to: DHSDCTSBPTRFundingOpportunities@dhs.wisconsin.gov.