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Health board flags xylazine concerns and staffing changes in HHS update
Summary
Sawyer County Health & Human Services reported LCO clinic hiring a physician and raised concerns about xylazine found mixed with fentanyl — a drug not reversed by naloxone — and reviewed staffing changes and program updates including ADRC retirements and participant counts.
The Sawyer County Health & Human Services (HHS) Board reported on April 6 and summarized those items for the county board on April 21, including staffing changes, client counts, and a public-health alert about xylazine.
HHS members said the LCO clinic is hiring a new physician. Board members and staff discussed xylazine, noting that it has appeared mixed with fentanyl in street drugs and is dangerous because it is not reversed by naloxone. Dr. Dunlap was quoted explaining that xylazine is found mixed with fentanyl and "is very dangerous because it's not counteracted by narcan." HHS staff also said xylazine use is associated with wounds.
The HHS report covered personnel changes (including planned retirements), ADRC staffing alterations, and operational metrics: in March there were 1,787 food-share recipients, 19 child-care families, and 1,334 Badger Care Plus clients served; the call center answered 6,722 calls with a reported answer rate of about 97.27%. The board approved closure of HHS for a staff-training day on May 13.
Behavioral health and CCS training efforts were described; staff are collaborating regionally and training to improve certification and service delivery. The board did not enact new policies at the April 21 meeting but recorded the reports and directed routine follow-ups.
