Opiate Overdoses in Milwaukee County Increase at 'Alarming' Rate in 2016: Study

(Originally published by FOX 6) MILWAUKEE, WI — Milwaukee County is on pace this year to surpass the 231 heroin and opiate overdose deaths recorded in the county in 2015, reports Fox 6. According to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office, through Sept. 24, 2016 191 people had fallen victim to opioid overdoses compared to 176 by Sept. 24, 2015.

Alderman Michael Murphy said that if overdose deaths continue at this rate in Milwaukee County, the total figure for the year 2016 could exceed 250. “It’s alarming because the issue is getting more attention than ever before, and yet still the rate of overdoses is climbing," Murphy said in a statement. "What’s more, the breakdown of data by race, by age and by geographic location shows the problem is as ubiquitous as ever. Absolutely anyone in any part of the county can fall victim.”

The report notes that through Sept. 24, 2016, the drug fentanyl was identified as a contributing factor in 56 overdose deaths—compared to 30 deaths in all of 2015, 16 in 2014, 11 in 2013 and five in 2012.
According to the statement from Alderman Murphy, if these deaths continue at the current rate, the number of fentanyl overdose victims in 2016 will eclipse those in the last four years combined.

See also:

Drug Mail Back Program Launches Thursday to Help Ease Opioid Epidemic

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