Dose of Reality: Partner Materials
Right now, many people across Wisconsin are working to prevent opioid harm. They are saving lives. It takes all of us to build healthy communities. Silence? That helps none of us. Thank you for your support and partnership.
Toolkits
We've developed two toolkits to help you promote the key messages of the Dose of Reality initiative.
General
Help people throughout Wisconsin understand opioids, their dangers, and ways to stay safe and healthy. Use the resources below to promote real talks about opioid harm. Some of the materials are available in multiple languages.
Promote the Dose of Reality initiative through outdoor advertising. Several billboard designs are available. Contact us for more
Promote the Dose of Reality initiative in church bulletins, employee/company newsletters, organization newsletters, and/or through email blasts. Use one of the drop-in articles below. Contact us with questions or concerns about these items.
Prevent opioid harm. It starts with real talks.
Now, more than ever, it is time to talk about opioids, including prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl. Deaths from opioid overdoses are at an all-time high in Wisconsin. Go to doseofrealitywi.gov for information to prevent and reduce the risks of opioid use through real talks or open and honest conversations about the dangers. The Dose of Reality website also features information on how to provide support to people you care about before risks develop,and how to get help to those who need it. The Dose of Reality website is a product of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Wisconsin's response to the opioid epidemic includes new Dose of Reality
Opioids are powerful drugs. Prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl are responsible for more deaths in Wisconsin each year than car crashes. While opioids are powerful drugs, there is something more powerful than opioids: All of us. That's Wisconsin's new Dose of Reality. Together, we can reduce the dangers of opioids and their impacts on our communities. It starts with real talks. Real talks are open and honest conversations about the harms of opioids. They create supportive communities where prevention, hope, and recovery can happen. Get tips to start talking and more at doseofrealitywi.gov.
Let's start talking about opioids
Real talks about opioids can make a real difference. Having open and honest conversations with your family and friends about prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl can be tough, but it may be the most important thing you do. The support offered through real talks can save lives. Get tips to start talking and more at doseofrealitywi.gov. The Dose of Reality website is a product of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Promote the Dose of Reality initiative by handing out these flyers in your community.Contact us with questions or concerns about these items.
Fentanyl Test Strip Instructions, P-03360A (PDF)
This flyer provides instructions on how to use fentanyl test strips. It is only available in English.
NARCAN® — a Lifesaving Dose of Reality, P-03092
This flyer answers frequently asked questions about NARCAN® and provides information on how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose. It is available in English, Hmong, and Spanish.
Carrying NARCAN® — a Lifesaving Dose of Reality, P-03093
This flyer answers frequently asked questions about NARCAN®. It is available in English, Hmong, and Spanish.
Signs of an Overdose/How to Administer NARCAN®, P-03094
This wallet card provides an overview of the signs of an opioid overdose and how to administer NARCAN®. It is available in English, Hmong, and Spanish. Email us to obtain a version of this document ready to be printed by a professional print shop.
Keep a Grip on Your Meds, P-03216
This flyer is intended for college students. It provides medication safety tips and information on how to safety dispose of medications. It is available in English, Hmong, and Spanish.
Promote the Dose of Reality initiative through graphic advertising on apps and the internet. Images are available for many standard ad placements (720x90, 300x250, 160x600, and 300x50). Contact us for more information.
Promote the Dose of Reality initiative by placing this poster in your community.Contact us with questions or concerns about this item.
Signs of an Overdose/How to Administer NARCAN®, P-03094A
This 11"x17" poster provides an overview of the signs of an opioid overdose and how to administer NARCAN®. It is available in English only.
Facebook posts
Promote the Dose of Reality initiative on your personal, business, and/or organization's Facebook page. Use the posts below. Contact us with questions or concerns about these items.
Instructions
- Save the image to your device.
- Upload the image to your Facebook page.
- Use the text above the image to complete the post.
Have real talks
Real talks about #opioids can make a difference. Don't worry, they are easier than you think. Save a life. Get #talk tips and more at doseofrealitywi.gov. #DoseofRealityWI
Recovery is possible
Struggling with #opioids? Recovery is possible. #Help is all around you. Learn more at doseofrealitywi.gov. #DoseofRealityWI
Connect with people
Preventing #opioid harm takes real talks, from all of us. We can all connect with those who need help. Talk tips and more at doseofrealitywi.gov. #DoseofRealityWI
Reverse an opioid overdose
Anyone can save a life by carrying naloxone/NARCAN®. It is safe and easy to give to reverse an #opioid overdose. Learn more at doseofrealitywi.gov. #DoseofRealityWI
Chronic pain prescriptions misused
One out of five #opioid prescriptions for chronic #pain are misused. Are your friends or loved ones at risk for opioid #harm? Get tips on how to use opioids safely at doseofrealitywi.gov. #DoseofRealityWI
NARCAN® - Post 1
Carrying NARCAN® gives you the power to save lives. It’s a safe, proven way to reverse an #opioid #overdose. Get #NARCAN® today. It's available near you: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/safer-use.htm #DoseofRealityWI
NARCAN® - Post 2
When an #opioid #overdose happens, every second counts. Learn how easy it is to get and use #NARCAN®. It’s a lifesaver. https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/safer-use.htm #DoseofRealityWI
Fentanyl test strips
#Fentanyl test strips are now legal in #Wisconsin. Illegally manufactured #opioids like fentanyl are tied to the majority of opioid overdose deaths in Wisconsin. Learn how to use fentanyl test strips, the easiest and fastest way to detect the presence of this dangerous synthetic opioid: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/facts.htm #DoseofRealityWI
Pills containing fentanyl
Mass produced counterfeit #pills made to look like prescription #opioids or #stimulants such as Oxycodone® or Adderall® often contain a deadly amount of #fentanyl. Use fentanyl test strips to know what’s in a pill: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/facts.htm #DoseofRealityWI
Twitter posts
Promote the Dose of Reality initiative on your personal, business, and/or organization's Twitter feed. Use the posts below.
Instructions
- Tap the image to open it.
- Save the image to your device.
- Upload the image to your Twitter feed.
- Use the text above the image to complete the post
Twitter post #1
Real talks about #opioids can make a difference. Don't worry, they are easier than you think. Save a life. Get #talk tips and more at doseofrealitywi.gov. #DoseofRealityWI
Twitter post #2
#Opioid recovery is possible. #Help is all around you. Learn more at doseofrealitywi.gov. #DoseofRealityWI
Twitter post #3
Preventing #opioid harm takes real talks, from all of us. We can all connect with those who need help. Talk tips and more at doseofrealitywi.gov. #DoseofRealityWI
Twitter post #4
Anyone can save a life by carrying naloxone/NARCAN®. It is safe and easy to give to reverse an #opioid overdose. Learn more at doseofrealitywi.gov. #DoseofRealityWI
Promote the Dose of Reality initiative on your website or through presentations with local groups using these videos. Contact us with questions or concerns about these items.
Drugged driving
The video below was created as part of a project to reduce the number drugged driving deaths in Wisconsin.
Fentanyl
The video below was created as part of a project to raise awareness of the dangers of fentanyl. It can be used on social media or as an advertisement at movie theaters, on streaming video services, and on TV.
NARCAN®
The video below was created as part of a project to distribute NARCAN® to jail residents prior to their release. NARCAN® is the opioid overdose reversal drug.
The videos below were created as part of a project to promote the use of NARCAN®, the opioid overdose reversal drug.
Safe medication disposal/drug take back
Help people throughout Wisconsin understand the importance of safe medication disposal and the locations of drug take back collection sites. Use the resources below to promote Drug Take Back Day events and permanent drug drop boxes. Many of the materials can be customized with local information. Some of the materials are available in multiple languages.
Promote the safe medication disposal/drug take back through outdoor advertising. Two billboard designs are available. One highlights the April 22 Drug Take Back day. The other is undated. Contact us for more information.
Promote safe medication disposal/drug take back with email messages tailored for specific audiences. Use the text below. Contact us with questions or concerns about these items.
Audience: Family, friends, co-workers
This email is intended to be sent by anyone to their family, friends, and co-workers.
Email subject line:
Safe medication disposal saves lives
Email text:
Hey! I know you have unused and expired medications in your home. Please consider taking these medications to a safe disposal site in your community. Depositing your unused and expired medications at a drop box saves lives by preventing these medications from falling into the wrong hands. Throwing these medications in the trash or dumping them down a drain damages our environment. You can find a collection site near you open year-round at doseofrealitywi.gov.
[NAME OF SENDER]
Audience: Funeral directors
This email is intended to be sent by a health and human services agency or a substance use prevention coalition to local funeral directors.
Email subject line:
Promote safe medication disposal
Email text:
Please help us promote safe medication disposal in [NAME OF COMMUNITY]. Families grieving the loss of a loved one should know the importance of safe medication disposal. Depositing a loved one's leftover prescription and and over-the-counter medications at a local collection site saves lives by preventing these medications from falling into the wrong hands. Throwing these medications in the trash or dumping them down a drain damages our environment.
[NAME OF COMMUNITY] has easy and convenient options for the safe disposal of leftover medications. Year-round collection sites are available at [INFORMATION ABOUT LOCATIONS]. There are also Drug Take Back Day events every spring and fall in communities across Wisconsin.
For more information on safe medication disposal and resources you can share with your clients, visit doseofrealitywi.gov.
Thank you for your support and partnership in keeping [NAME OF COMMUNITY] safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
[NAME OF SENDER]
[TITLE OF SENDER, IF APPLICABLE]
[NAME OF AGENCY/ORGANIZATION]
Audience: Grieving families
This email is intended to be sent by funeral directors to clients.
Email subject line:
Safe medication disposal
Email text:
It can be hard to get a handle on everything that needs to be done while grieving the loss of a loved one. However, one important task you’ll need to do is safely disposing of your loved one’s prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. Understandably, this usually isn’t at the top of your to-do list. But safe disposal saves lives by preventing dangerous medications from falling into the wrong hands or damaging our environment.
Luckily, Wisconsin has easy and convenient options for the safe disposal of leftover medications. When you’re ready, you can dispose of the medications you’ve collected at one of the many convenient permanent drop boxes around the state. There are also Drug Take Back Day events every spring and fall in communities across Wisconsin.
To learn more about all your safe medication disposal options, visit doseofrealitywi.gov.
Sincerely,
[NAME OF SENDER]
[NAME OF BUSINESS]
Audience: Real estate agents
This email is intended to be sent by a health and human services agency or a substance use prevention coalition to local real estate agents.
Email subject line:
Promote safe medication disposal
Email text:
Please help us promote safe medication disposal in [NAME OF COMMUNITY]. People selling a home should know the importance of medication security and safe disposal options. Locking up prescription and over-the-counter medications during open houses and depositing unused and expired drugs at a local collection site saves lives by preventing these medications from falling into the wrong hands. Throwing these medications in the trash or dumping them down a drain damages our environment.
[NAME OF COMMUNITY] has easy and convenient options for the safe disposal of leftover medications. Year-round collection sites are available at [INFORMATION ABOUT LOCATIONS]. There are also Drug Take Back Day events every spring and fall in communities across Wisconsin.
For more information on safe medication disposal and resources you can share with your clients, visit doseofrealitywi.gov.
Thank you for your support and partnership in keeping [NAME OF COMMUNITY] safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
[NAME OF SENDER]
[TITLE OF SENDER, IF APPLICABLE]
[NAME OF AGENCY/ORGANIZATION]
Audience: Homesellers
This email is intended to be sent by real estate agents to clients selling a home.
Subject line:
Getting ready for your open house? Don’t forget this.
Email:
Showing your home to prospective buyers is an exciting time. It means things are moving, and you’re one step closer to selling your home. You’re doing all the right things to ensure your home shows its best. Everything is clean from top to bottom, clutter is organized, and the rooms are perfectly staged. You’ve even remembered to secure all your valuables. But what about your medicine cabinet?
Sellers often forget to remove or safely secure their prescriptions and other medications. But this is equally as important as protecting your other valuables and personal information. Why? Because the last thing you want is your medications ending up in the wrong hands, where they can potentially cause harm.
As your agent, we do our best to establish great relationships with buyers, sellers, and other real estate professionals. But we may not always know everyone who comes to see your home. So remember to keep your prescriptions and medications secure. All you need is a lockable drawer or a secure box. You could even use the trunk of your car.
One last thing! This is a great opportunity to get rid of unused and expired medications before moving. Safe disposal saves lives, and Wisconsin offers many safe disposal options near you. Learn about all your options at doseofrealitywi.gov.
Sincerely,
[NAME OF SENDER]
[NAME OF BUSINESS]
Promote safe medication disposal/drug take back with an op-ed in local newspaper(s) or features in church bulletins, employee/company newsletters, and organization newsletters. Use the text below. Contact us with questions or concerns about this item.
Wisconsin is stepping up to save lives through safe drug disposal
Almost every home has one — that cabinet or drawer filled with prescriptions and other medications. And if yours is like most, it probably contains a few things you didn’t know you had, or no longer need. And that can have serious consequences.
More than 2.9 million opioid prescriptions are written every year in Wisconsin. That’s right, 2.9 million! And when unused and expired medications start to pile up, it’s easy for them to fall into the wrong hands. Far too often, medications that get overlooked cause unintended harm or become a gateway to misuse.
Luckily, Wisconsinites are known for taking care of each other. And that’s precisely what we’ve been doing. Wisconsin has continually been a leader in collecting unused and expired medications during national drug take back days. In the past, upwards of 100,000 pounds of medications have been collected in a single year. That’s the same weight as two full-sized snowplows you see clearing our Wisconsin roads every winter. But the most important part of the collection effort is a statistic impossible to measure — the lives potentially saved with every safe disposal. And make no mistake — safe disposal saves lives.
This year, we are calling on more Wisconsinites to do their part to help protect our families, friends, and great communities.
How do you get started?
Easy! Just open your medicine cabinet, gather what you no longer need, remove or cover up prescription or personal information, and put them in a zip-top bag.
What next?
Simply choose a safe disposal option that’s best for you. Drug Take Back Days are held twice a year in communities throughout Wisconsin; once in April and again in October. If you can’t make it, many permanent drug drop boxes are available year-round across the state in convenient locations like pharmacies and police stations.
If you’d like to learn more about safe medication disposal and all available options, visit doseofrealitywi.gov.
Promote safe medication disposal/drug take back by handing out materials in your community and posting information in public places. Use the flyers and posters below. Contact us with questions or concerns about these items.
Flyers (8.5" x 11")
These flyers are available in English, Hmong, and Spanish.
Safe Disposal Save Lives, P-03103
This flyer highlights safe medication disposal options that are available year-round.
Drug Take Back Day - One Location, P-03103A
This flyer provides a space to highlight the event location, address, date/time, and host of a Drug Take Back Day event.
Drug Take Back Day - Multiple Locations, P-03103B
This flyer provides a space to highlight multiple Drug Take Back Day event locations.
Posters (11" x 17")
These posters are available in English, Hmong, and Spanish.
Drug Take Back Day - Day Promotion, P-03101
This poster provides a space to highlight the event location, address, date/time, and host of a Drug Take Back Day event.
Drug Take Back Day - Event Promotion. P-03101A
This poster provides a space to highlight a drug take back event happening at any time of the year.
Drug Take Back Day - Event Promotion, Multiple Locations, P-03101B
This poster provides a space to highlight multiple drug take back events happening at any of the year.
Do you need a version of these materials with crop marks? Email us.
Promote safe medication disposal/drug take back in a print publication—a newspaper, magazine, or other booklet. Use one of the print advertisements below. Contact us with questions or concerns about these items.
3" x 5" Static - Color
3" x 5" Static - Greyscale
3" x 5" Customizable - Color
3" x 5" Customizable - Greyscale
Do you need a version of these materials with crop marks? Email us.
Promote safe medication disposal/drug take back through commercials/PSAs on radio stations and streaming audio services. Use the recorded spot or live read script below. Contact us with questions or concerns about these items.
:30 recorded spot
:30 Live read script
Hey, [COMMUNITY NAME]. I just learned that saving a life can be as simple as safely disposing of my unused and expired medications. And it’s easy to do. Drug Take Back Days are held throughout Wisconsin every April and October. And if I miss one, permanent drug drop boxes are available year-round across the state. Learn more about all your safe disposal options at dose of reality W-I (dot) gov. This message brought to you by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Promote safe medication disposal/drug take back on your personal, business, and/or organization's social media accounts. Use the posts below. Contact us with questions or concerns about these items.
Instructions
- Save the image to your device.
- Upload the image to your social media page or feed.
- Use the text below the image to complete the post.
Focus: Drug Take Back Day
Don't save your unused medications for future use—save lives! Drop them off at a Drug Take Back Day location on April 22. Find a location near you at: https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/drug-take-back-day.htm #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBackWI
Drug Take Back Day is April 22. Encourage someone you know to safely dispose of their unused medications. It saves lives! There's more information here: https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/drug-take-back-day.htm #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBackWI
Got unused meds for you and your pets? Don't toss or flush them! They can harm the environment and contaminate our water. Find a Drug Take Back Day collection site near you: https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/drug-take-back-day.htm #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBackWI
Last Drug Take Back Day, we collected over 54,000 pounds of medications. Let's collect even more this year! Find a collection event near you: https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/drug-take-back-day.htm #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBackWI
Start preparing for Drug Take Back Day on April 22. Check out the list of accepted items you can bring for safe disposal: https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/drug-take-back-day.htm #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBackWI
What’s one easy way you can protect your community and help prevent overdoses? Participate in Drug Take Back Day on April 22. Find a collection near you: https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/drug-take-back-day.htm #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBackWI
Don't save your unused medications for future use—save lives! Drop them off at a Drug Take Back Day location on April 22: https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/drug-take-back-day.htm #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBackWI
Drug Take Back Day is April 22. Encourage someone you know to safely dispose of their unused medications. It saves lives! Find a collection site near you: https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/drug-take-back-day.htm #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBackWI
Got unused meds for you and your pets? Don't toss or flush them! They can harm the environment and contaminate our water. Find a Drug Take Back Day collection site near you: https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/drug-take-back-day.htm #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBackWI
Last Drug Take Back Day, we collected over 54,000 pounds of medications. Let's collect even more this year! Find a collection site you: https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/drug-take-back-day.htm #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBackWI
Start preparing for Drug Take Back Day on April 22. Check out the list of accepted items you can bring for safe disposal: https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/drug-take-back-day.htm #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBackWI
Focus: Permanent drug drop boxes
Miss Drug Take Back Day? No worries! Safely dispose of your unused meds at one of Wisconsin's permanent drug drop boxes. Find a collection site near you: https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/permanent-drug-drop-boxes.htm #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBack WI
Unsure what items you can dispose of at one of Wisconsin's many permanent drug drop boxes? We've got you! Check out the list: https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/permanent-drug-drop-boxes.htm #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBack WI
Miss Drug Take Back Day? No worries! Safely dispose of your unused meds at one of Wisconsin's permanent drug drop boxes. Find a collection site near you: https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/permanent-drug-drop-boxes.htm #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBack WI
Unsure what items you can dispose of at one of Wisconsin's many permanent drug drop boxes? We've got you! Check out the list: https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/permanent-drug-drop-boxes.htm #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBack WI
Focus: Grieving families
There’s a lot to take care of after a loved one has passed. Safely disposing of unused and expired #medications is often overlooked, but it’s important to protect your family, community, and environment. Plus, safe disposal is easy and convenient. Learn more at doseofrealitywi.gov. #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBackWI
There’s a lot to take care of after a loved one has passed. Safely disposing of unused and expired #medications is often overlooked, but it’s important to protect your family, community, and environment. Learn more at doseofrealitywi.gov. #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBackWI
There’s a lot to take care of after a loved one has passed. Safely disposing of unused and expired #medications is often overlooked, but it’s important to protect your family, community, and environment. Plus, safe disposal is easy and convenient. Learn more at doseofrealitywi.gov. #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBackWI
Focus: Homesellers
All set to show your beautiful home and watch the offers come in? House cleaned. Valuables removed. Don’t forget about #medications in your home! Make sure they’re locked up or removed to help protect you and our wonderful community. Learn more at doseofrealitywi.gov. #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBackWI
All set to show your beautiful home and watch the offers come in? Don’t forget about #medications in your home! Make sure they’re locked up or removed to help protect you and our wonderful community. Learn more at doseofrealitywi.gov. #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBackWI
All set to show your beautiful home and watch the offers come in? Don’t forget about #medications in your home! Make sure they’re locked up or removed to help protect you and our wonderful community. Learn more at doseofrealitywi.gov. #DoseofRealityWI #DrugTakeBackWI
Promote the safe medication disposal/drug take back on local TV, cable or satellite TV systems, and streaming video services. This TV/video spot can also be used by local movie theaters as part of the advertising that runs before movies. Contact us with questions or concerns about these items.
:15 versions
- Download the English version with captions
- Download the English voiceover version with Spanish subtitles
- Download the English voiceover version with Hmong subtitles
:30 versions
- Download the English version with captions
- Download the English voiceover version with Spanish subtitles
- Download the English voiceover version with Hmong subtitles
Download a broadcast quality version of this spot (English only)
Promote our other initiatives!
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- Small Talks: How WI prevents underage drinking
- Resilient Wisconsin: Connected, stronger, thriving
Track Wisconsin's opioid epidemic
We work closely with people responding to Wisconsin's opioid epidemic to provide data on the use of opioids across the state and the resulting consequences.