A powerful new campaign is making waves in Milwaukee, aiming to combat the opioid crisis within the city’s Black community by promoting the use of naloxone, a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses. Backed by the global health organization Vital Strategies, the campaign — titled “You Have the Power to Save Lives” — uses local voices and personal stories to break down stigma, spread awareness, and empower individuals to take action.
A Personal Mission
At the heart of the campaign is Anita Garrett, a well-known Milwaukee community activist who tragically lost both her son and nephew to drug overdoses. Garrett believes those deaths could have been prevented if someone had naloxone on hand. Her mission now is to make sure others don’t suffer the same heartbreak.
“In my 20 years of living with addiction, we didn’t have these resources,” Garrett says in the campaign’s launch video. “But now we do — and the community is willing to help and not judge.”
A Community-Driven Approach
The campaign specifically targets Black neighborhoods in seven U.S. cities, including Milwaukee, where overdose deaths are alarmingly high. In 2024 alone, Black residents made up 42% of all overdose deaths in Milwaukee County — despite accounting for just 27% of the population.
That disparity is what led Vital Strategies to include Milwaukee in the initiative. “We have an opportunity to make a change here,” said Adrienne Hurst, a senior technical adviser with the organization.
Central to that change is representation. Rather than relying solely on outside experts or impersonal data, the campaign elevates local voices — like Garrett, Bryan Winters, and Tahira Malik — to carry the message.
Winters, a Milwaukee native, joined the campaign because he felt his community was being overlooked in mainstream conversations about addiction and recovery. “If we were better educated about harm reduction and Narcan, things could change dramatically,” he said.
Tackling Stigma, Saving Lives
Another core aim of the campaign is to break down the stigma surrounding drug use and treatment in the Black community. For many, that stigma has made it harder to seek help or even learn about resources that could save lives.
“There’s this idea that addiction is a moral failure or something to be ashamed of,” said Malik, founder of Samad’s House, a sober living facility for women. “But everyone’s suffering from something. And carrying Narcan can be an act of compassion, not judgment.”
The campaign also includes social media and radio ads, with help from local voices like Trey White of V-100.7 and Don Black of Jammin’ 98.3. These familiar figures help build trust and expand the reach of the campaign’s message.
Free Resources and Where to Find Them
The “You Have the Power to Save Lives” website lists where residents can access free naloxone in Milwaukee — including community organizations, fire stations, and even vending machines. It also offers guidance on how to use naloxone and fentanyl testing strips.
By providing both education and access, the campaign hopes to shift community attitudes and prevent further loss. “We’re sharing our stories so people know they’re not alone, we’re not judging, and there are tools that can help,” Winters said.
Garrett, reflecting on the loss of her son, summed it up best: “I couldn’t stop him from using, but if I had the tools to save his life, maybe he’d still be here. That’s why I want others to know — they do have the power to save lives.”
To learn more and access free resources, visit YouCanSaveLives.org.
