GRANT COUNTY — The coroner’s office in Grant County reported a record number of overdose deaths in 2025.
The county recorded 38 deaths last year, four more than the previous year. Most of these overdose deaths were attributed to opioids like fentanyl and meth, while others involved cocaine or a mixture of drugs.
The coroner’s office also noted the first recorded death from xylazine, an animal sedative that is increasingly found in recreational settings.
As of January 1, the Grant County Health District has implemented new measures to combat the drug crisis. Health care providers are now required to report all opioid overdoses to the health district.
Lexi Smith from the Grant County Health District explained the district’s approach.
“We will inform the public if we see a spike in the community, we’ll keep track of this data and create a public facing dashboard in the future, and the biggest thing is going to be providing that support to people who just survived an overdose in that critical window,” Smith said.
The health district is also working to address the unique challenges faced in rural areas, as Grant County currently lacks an in-patient treatment facility for opioid addiction.
