Milwaukee Experiencing Unprecedented Number of Drug Overdoses
Approximately one drug overdose every 14 hours.
Milwaukee is on it’s way to having a record number of drug overdose deaths this year. The Medical examiner’s office documented 127 probable deaths between July 1 and September 11. In the face of the epidemic, advocates and recovering drug users continue spreading awareness of the issue, and providing the hope some people need in order to change their lives.
Sara Schreiber, toxicology director for the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office, told Wisconsin Examiner Milwaukee is experiencing “one overdose death, every 14 hours.”
“If this rate continues, we will have over 450 drug-related deaths in 2019, eclipsing the previous record of 401 individuals who died from drug-related causes in 2017.” Schreiber said. She explains that heroin, fentanyl, other opioids, and benzodiazepines were involved in most of the deaths. In July, 14 fatal overdoses occurred over a single weekend in the Cream City.
The news comes as Milwaukee County joins municipalities nationwide in suing Purdue Pharma for its role in fueling the opioid epidemic’s early years. Local governments hope that settlements from the lawsuits will repay civic damages caused by the crisis. According to the Independent, the opioid crisis has resulted in over $1 trillion in economic damages over the last couple of decades.
“These tragedies can be prevented,” says Michelle Jaskulski, senior director of faith and family programs for Addiction Policy Forum. “One step we all can take to help save a life is learning how to recognize and respond to an overdose. The city should be following the U.S. Surgeon General’s recommendation that the life-saving antidote Naloxone be readily available for anyone.”
Jaskulski and colleagues at APF hold events training people how to use Naloxone in its various forms. One of these demonstrations took place in a meeting on addiction in August, the topic of the day being that recovery is possible for users.
“We think it is important to celebrate people’s success along with the efforts of those who support them,” says Klein. “Not talking about this issue that is probably impacting everyone in some way, shape, or form only reinforces the belief that the behavior is shameful and not something a person talks about. Shame makes it extremely difficult for people and their families to ask for help.”
Reprinted with permission of Wisconsin Examiner.
More about the Opioid Crisis
- A Medication Rescue for Opioid Overdoses - Corri Hess - Feb 22nd, 2021
- State Receives $10 million in Opioid Crisis Settlement - Jenny Peek - Feb 5th, 2021
- AG Kaul, Gov Evers Announce $573 Million Multistate Agreement with McKinsey & Company for “Turbocharging” the Opioid Epidemic with Purdue Pharma - Josh Kaul - Feb 4th, 2021
- Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Nearly $9 Million Awarded for Drug Treatment Services - Gov. Tony Evers - Jan 14th, 2021
- AG Kaul, Bipartisan AGs Push FDA to Examine Progress in Opioid Fight - Josh Kaul - Jan 11th, 2021
- Milwaukee County Surpasses Last Year’s Record Overdose Deaths - Edgar Mendez - Nov 27th, 2020
- Overdose Responders Struggle Against Rising Deaths - Edgar Mendez - Nov 20th, 2020
- Wisconsin Drug Take Back Collection 1st in the Country; Collects Nearly 90,000 lbs. of Unwanted Medications to Fight the Opioid Epidemic - Josh Kaul - Nov 9th, 2020
- Gov. Evers, DSPS Secretary-designee Crim Announce Wisconsin Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Awarded Nearly $2 Million Grant - Gov. Tony Evers - Nov 2nd, 2020
- AG Kaul Announces Updated Settlement with Opioid Manufacturer Mallinckrodt - Josh Kaul - Oct 13th, 2020
Read more about Opioid Crisis here