Health Educator Laura Runchey talks about her work to promote overdose awareness.
How long have you been with the Health Department?
I’ve been a Health Educator here for almost four years — since December 2021.
What does your role focus on?
Most of my work centers around substance use prevention and overdose response, with a strong focus on harm reduction. I coordinate the Alliance to HEAL, led our Overdose Fatality Review Team, and provide Narcan and overdose response trainings both in-house and in the community. A big part of the job is building connections — reducing stigma, sharing accurate information, and making sure people with lived experience are included in how we shape public health responses.
What is harm reduction — and why is it important?
At its core, harm reduction means reducing the negative consequences of everyday activities, whether that’s wearing sunscreen or a seatbelt — or using Narcan during an opioid overdose. 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 observing Overdose Awareness Month again this year. What’s the goal of that work?
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.
What trends are you seeing locally?
In 2023, La Crosse County saw 56 fatal overdoses — the highest we’ve ever recorded. That led to new urgency and more community involvement. Our recent Overdose Fatality Report showed that 75% of people who died were housed, many had jobs, and most did not fit the public stereotype of someone struggling with substance use. We also saw a rise in stimulant-related overdoses and contamination with opioids. 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.
Should more people be carrying Narcan?
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.
What’s the one thing you want the public to remember?
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.