Victim Crisis Response Team supports survivors of overdose in Fox Valley

OSHKOSH, WI – (WISS & WGBW) – Overdoses are one of the leading causes of injury-related deaths in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control. The Winnebago County Health Department says 37 overdose deaths were confirmed by the Winnebago County Medical Examiner’s Office in 2022. 

Sheryl Dingman with the Fox Cities Victim Crisis Response Team says the numbers are increasing each year. Those deaths are leaving lasting effects on people which is why the Victim Crisis Responders like her organization exist.

“We offer that support. We offer that comfort. We get them connected to organizations where they can start to feel that support,” said Dingman. “We kind of look at ourselves as this temporary band-aid in this gaping wound.”

Fentanyl was listed as a primary cause of death in 24 of the overdose deaths in Winnebago County in 2022. While many people think of illicit or illegal drugs, like fentanyl and xylazine, when thinking about overdoses, Dingman says that’s not always the case.

“You can overdose on many different things,” said Dingman. It doesn’t have to be drugs. 

She says she has seen people who have overdosed on over-the-counter drugs, like Tylenol, alcohol, and even antifreeze. 

“Sitting from our standpoint, it’s kind of hard to fathom how somebody can do that. But it does happen,” Dingman said. “When I worked in the hospital I would have people come in with kind of an overdose.” 

The Fox Cities Victim Crisis Response Team covers Outagamie and Winnebago Counties. The federal Victims of Crimes Act grant funds the nonprofit as does community members through various fundraising events.