Madison Reporter

The Wisconsin Opioid Overdose Response Center (WOORC) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is gaining attention for its efforts to address opioid overdoses in the state. Senator Tammy Baldwin recently visited the center, which was established with a $2 million grant she helped secure during the last federal budget cycle.

Cody Wenthur, associate professor in the UW–Madison School of Pharmacy and co-director of WOORC, noted that since receiving the grant in September, they have been actively working to achieve their goals. "Since our grant started in September, we’ve been sprinting," he said.

WOORC's mission includes increasing access to treatments for opioid use disorder and overdoses by providing community pharmacies across Wisconsin with educational resources, naloxone, and fentanyl testing strips. During her visit, Baldwin highlighted that WOORC’s mission "could not be more reflective of the Wisconsin Idea."

Pharmacy Solutions Implementation Specialists at WOORC are expanding efforts statewide. Jaxom Smith, one of these specialists, shared his perspective: “Prior to this, I worked as a pharmacy technician... When I heard about Jay and Cody starting the center, it immediately clicked that this would allow pharmacists to expand that information to a larger population.”

Jay Ford, co-director of WOORC and associate professor in the School of Pharmacy, emphasized collaboration as key to their approach. “We’re not doing this alone,” he stated.

Michelle Haese from the Wisconsin Department of Human Services also attended Baldwin's visit and remarked on WOORC's role within broader initiatives against opioid overdoses. “This is about saving lives,” she said.

Baldwin’s visit included discussions on WOORC’s progress and a tour of research facilities where technologies are being developed to combat future overdose threats. She commended their proactive stance: “Here, they’re being extremely proactive in the programming, as well as the research to try and put an end to this epidemic.”