Harm Reduction
The vision of the Marquette County Health Department is to build equitable access to services and opportunities, assuring everyone has the ability to achieve their best life. While we recognize that drug abuse is a complex issue without simple, short-term answers, our department supports harm reduction and prevention programs that have been proven effective in reducing risk and saving lives for people who use drugs.
Many of us practice harm reduction efforts as part of our daily lives including brushing our teeth to prevent cavities, wearing a bike or motorcycle helmet or using seatbelts to prevent injury, and many other safety measures designed to lessen harm and improve outcomes. Similarly, harm reduction strategies can be applied with those who use drugs. Learn more about Harm Reduction at: https://harmreduction.org/
This includes the following services:
Naloxone Direct Community Distribution Program
Naloxone (also referred to as brand name Narcan) can help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose in minutes. If you or someone you know takes any prescription or nonprescription opioids including but not limited to oxycodone (OxyContin), oxymorphone, hydrocodone (Vicodin), hydromorphone, codeine, tramadol, buprenorphine, morphine, methadone, fentanyl, heroin or other opioid, be prepared for a possible life-threatening opioid overdose emergency and keep naloxone on hand. Naloxone is not harmful if administered to someone who is not experiencing an overdose.
Through a partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Naloxone Direct program, the Marquette County Health Department offers FREE naloxone nasal spray (sometimes known by the brand name of Narcan) to any member of the public. There are multiple ways to obtain naloxone in Marquette County.
- Come to the Health Department office from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday excluding major holidays to receive brief training on how to administer naloxone nasal spray, get your questions answered, and receive FREE naloxone nasal spray to take home with you. This contact can be anonymous, you do not need to identify yourself.
- For those who are already familiar with naloxone and feel no training is needed, you may obtain FREE naloxone nasal spray doses anonymously from naloxone distribution boxes during each location’s normal business hours. All boxes are located indoors.
NALOXONE DISTRIBUTION BOX LOCATIONS:
Oxford Village Hall, 129 S. Franklin Ave, Oxford
Packwaukee Town Hall, N3511 State St, Packwaukee
Rod’s Trading Post, W5920 Lake St, Packwaukee
Ethel Everhard Library, 117 E 3rd St, Westfield
Or you may anonymously pick up naloxone in the lobby of the Health Department, 428 Underwood Ave, Montello. There is a display on the windowsill near the stairway with FREE CONDOMS, FREE NALOXONE, and FREE FENTANYL TEST STRIPS.
If you would like more information, your group/business is interested in a Narcan presentation at your site, or your location would like to host a naloxone distribution box where the public can obtain free naloxone anonymously, call and discuss options with Sarah at 608-297-3135.
LifePoint Syringe Access Program
The LifePoint Needle Exchange syringe service program (SSP) is available at the Marquette County Health Department, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. This program is a partnership with Vivent Health (link). The purpose of LifePoint is to reduce the transmission of HIV and Hepatitis C and other potential harms associated with injection drug use. LifePoint seeks to reduce overdoses related to injection drug use and provide information on safer use and referral to treatment.
Please note: Needle disposal at Marquette County Health Department is only available for participants in the LifePoint Syringe Access program. If you need to dispose of other needles, please talk with your pharmacist about disposal options near you or locate a syringe disposal site near you using: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/HealthWaste/HouseholdSharps.html Please note, Marquette County does not guarantee the information on the DNR website is up to date.
Adams County has a sharps disposal program. See their website for more information: Adams County, WI – Sharps Disposal
There are also mail in sharps disposal options online from various companies.
Please be sure to follow all guidelines regarding appropriate syringe disposal outlined on the DNR website above.
Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution Program
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and up to 100 times stronger than morphine. Unfortunately, drugs mixed with fentanyl are the leading cause of overdose deaths in Wisconsin. In 2020, the latest year in which data is available, 86% of opioid deaths in Wisconsin were connected to a synthetic or manufactured opioid like fentanyl.
Because fentanyl cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted, it is recommended that legal fentanyl test strips be used to test for the presence of fentanyl in drugs not obtained at a licensed pharmacy. Fentanyl tests strips can help people be safer and make informed choices about what, how, and how much they use. FREE fentanyl test strips are available at the Marquette County Health Department, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.
Substance Abuse Referral Services/Support Groups
The Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline is a statewide resource for finding treatment services and recovery supports. It is a free service that is available 24/7. Call 211 or 833-944-4673.
Local Information: Marquette County Clinical Services
Local Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Meetings: Meetings – Wisconsin Region Of Narcotics Anonymous (wisconsinna.org)
Scenic Bluffs Area (Adams, Baraboo, Mauston, Montello, Portage, Prairie Du Sac, Reedsburg, Wisconsin Dells) https://scenicbluffsarea.org/
Inland Lakes Unity Area (Appleton, Beaver Dam, Eden, Fond Du Lac, Green Lake, Little Chute, Menasha, Neenah, Oshkosh, Ripon, Shawano, Waupun, Winneconne) https://iluana.org/
Local Peer Support: Realistic Recovery Group Meetings at 624 Main St, Montello, WI
Every Tuesday at 10:00AM and 7:00PM
Every Thursday at 1:00PM
Every Friday at 7:00PM
Drop-in hours as of August 20, 2025 are:
Wednesday from 2:00PM to 5:00PM
Thursday from 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Friday from 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Medication Lock Box Distribution
Having a lock box for medications in your home keeps children, pets, and others safe from an accidental ingestion. Ask at the Marquette County Health Department reception desk for a FREE medication lockbox. FREE lock boxes may also be picked up at Central Wisconsin Pharmacy in Montello or Westfield. Lock boxes courtesy of Healthy Communities Healthy Youth Coalition Marquette County. Home | Healthy Communities Healthy Youth (marquettehchy.org)
Countywide Medication Disposal Boxes
Need to dispose of expired or unused medication? Keeping these around the house can be dangerous. If these medications fall into the wrong hands or are taken by mistake, there can be
severe consequences. Keep your household safe and make it a habit to safely dispose of medications you no longer need. These locations accept capsules, creams, inhalers, non-aerosol sprays, ointments, pills, patches, and vials. Any liquids must be in their original container. Vape pens and other e-cigarettes are accepted with the batteries removed. These batteries are highly flammable and must be removed before the pen or device is placed in a collection bin. Items not accepted in drop boxes include aerosol cans, anything containing blood or bodily fluids, household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, gas), illegal drugs, iodine containing medications, mercury thermometers, personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreens, etc.), sharps/syringes, and vape pens or e-cigarettes with built in, non-removable batteries.
Local drop box locations can be found here:
Endeavor Police Department, 400 Church Street, Endeavor, WI 53930
Marquette County Sheriff’s Office, 67 W Park Street, Montello, WI 53949
Montello Police Department, 20 Underwood Avenue, Montello, WI 53949
Neshkoro Village Hall and Police Department, 322 S. Main Street, Neshkoro, WI 54960
Oxford Village Hall, 129 S. Franklin Ave, Oxford, WI 53952
Westfield Village Hall and Police Department, 129 E. 3rd Street, Westfield, WI 53964
For more information or other locations across Wisconsin, check out https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/permanent-drug-drop-boxes.htm
Condom Distribution
Using a condom correctly every time can reduce the chances of contracting and passing on sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Need STI testing? See information below.
FREE condoms are available to anyone in the lobby of the Marquette County Health Department.
Sexually Transmitted Infection/Communicable Disease Testing
Marquette County Health Department offers LOW or NO COST in-office testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen), trichomoniasis (trich), hepatitis C, and HIV. Please call the office at 608-297-3135 to ask about eligibility and make an appointment. Click this link for more information on pregnancy testing and other reproductive healthcare offered at Marquette County Health Department.