WC Wisconsin News

Laura Runchey has worked as a Health Educator with the La Crosse County Health Department since December 2021. Her main responsibilities involve substance use prevention and overdose response, focusing on harm reduction strategies. She coordinates the Alliance to HEAL, leads the Overdose Fatality Review Team, and provides Narcan and overdose response training both within the department and in the wider community.

Runchey describes harm reduction as “reducing the negative consequences of everyday activities, whether that’s wearing sunscreen or a seatbelt — or using Narcan during an opioid overdose.” She adds, “In public health, it’s about meeting people where they’re at, providing safer options, and giving people the tools and support to stay alive and healthy. That includes everything from bike safety and alcohol compliance checks to Narcan access and overdose prevention education.”

La Crosse County is marking Overdose Awareness Month throughout August. According to Runchey: “August 31 is Overdose Awareness Day, and in La Crosse County we’ve expanded it to a full month of education and outreach. The focus is on public understanding — what overdose looks like, who it affects, and how people can respond. We want to make sure people know how to use Narcan, how to recognize an overdose, and how to connect others to help.”

She notes that in 2023 there were 56 fatal overdoses in La Crosse County—the highest number recorded locally—which led to increased urgency around this issue. Their recent Overdose Fatality Report found that most victims did not fit common stereotypes; for example, 75% were housed and many had jobs. There was also an increase in stimulant-related overdoses involving opioid contamination.

However, Runchey reports improvement for 2025: “The good news? In 2025, fatal overdoses are down significantly. As of July 1, we’ve had eight. But even one is too many — and these numbers can change fast.”

Asked if more people should carry Narcan—a medication used for opioid overdoses—Runchey responds: “Absolutely. Narcan saves lives. It's easy to use, widely available, and increasingly over-the-counter. But even more important than carrying it is knowing how to respond:

Call 911

Start rescue breathing

Use Narcan if it’s available

What kills in an opioid overdose is lack of oxygen, and fast response can make the difference.”

She emphasizes that stigma remains a barrier: “Overdose can happen to anyone. It doesn’t have a ‘type.’ And stigma keeps people from getting help. Our community has a role to play — whether it’s having Narcan on hand, checking in on people, or simply being informed. We can all make a difference.”

La Crosse County schools serve a diverse student population of over 15,000 students during the 2023-24 school year according to data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (https://dpi.wi.gov/). White students made up about three-quarters of enrollment (https://dpi.wi.gov/), while Asian students accounted for just over nine percent (https://dpi.wi.gov/), making them the second largest group after white students; multiracial students represented about seven percent (https://dpi.wi.gov/).