Sawyer County jail survey finds high rates of overdose history, links to opioid prescriptions

Joyce, a Sawyer County public health staff member, told the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council on Sept. 10 that a voluntary survey of people in the county jail found 65 percent of respondents identified as Native American and 25 percent as white, and that 29 percent of respondents reported having overdosed at least once.

The survey also found that 44 percent of those who received prescription opioids later became addicted and that 51 percent used illicit drugs after developing that addiction, Joyce said. She reported that law-enforcement calls for overdose were 29 as of July 31, 2024, and 23 as of July 31, 2025, and that “we have reduced the number of Sawyer County deaths by 55 percent over the last 2 years.”

Why it matters: Council members said the survey data could guide prevention and treatment work in Sawyer County. Joyce and other members flagged prescription practices, trauma history and the growing presence of fentanyl as issues that intersect with overdose risk.

Survey findings and context

Joyce said 10 percent of collected surveys were discarded because they were incomplete. She described differences in overdose history by subgroup: Native American females and white males showed higher rates of repeated overdose in the survey responses. On preferred substance, 29 percent of respondents listed methamphetamine and 11 percent listed fentanyl.

“A lot of people think that the fentanyl is always an accident, and it's not. There are people that prefer fentanyl,” Joyce said, drawing attention to the drug-supply risks discussed by the council.

Council members and staff discussed links between prescriptions and later illicit use. Joyce described multiple accounts in which people reported becoming dependent after receiving opioids for childbirth-related care, including C-sections. The group said they will try to validate whether prescribing practices have changed with more recent guidelines and the state prescription-monitoring system.

Public-safety and prevention implications

Members emphasized aftercare, treatment access and prevention for children and families. Joyce reported that more than 50 percent of survey respondents reported past physical or emotional abuse; she said more than 90 percent of reported abusers were a close family member or relative. Council members said trauma-informed prevention and longer-term aftercare for people exiting treatment should be priorities.

Council discussion also noted fentanyl adulteration of other drugs, including THC, and suggested continued outreach, Narcan distribution and education. Joyce said Narcan distribution at the county food shelf has improved access and that some Native American women reported administering Narcan multiple times in the community.

Ending

Council members praised Joyce for collecting and presenting the data; Joyce said she will retire at the end of the month. Members asked staff to bring follow-up items — including validation of current prescribing practices and potential prevention projects — to future meetings.