Addiction has left an indelible mark on numerous families across Wisconsin, prompting Jessica Geschke to take action, a Spectrum News 1 report notes. As the president of Cottage Grove-based Start Healing Now, she is spearheading an initiative to spread awareness about opioid misuse. Her commitment is reflected in the creation of the Overdose Aid Kit, known as the OAK box, a resourceful solution to combat the opioid epidemic.
In 2022, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported 1,421 opioid-related overdose deaths in the state. Recognizing the urgency of the issue, Geschke is collaborating with various organizations and businesses to strategically place OAK boxes, equipped with information on administering Narcan, breathing masks, and other essential resources, in workplaces and job sites.
