MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office responded to 127 probable drug overdoses since July 1, the office announced Thursday. That's an average of one death every 14 hours.
Since 2010, overdose related hospitalizations have drastically increased in Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services interactive map on the opioid crisis.
MCMEO has responded to 127 probable drug overdoses since July 1, an average of one death every 14 hours. If current trends continue, Milwaukee County on track to record 453 overdose deaths in 2019.
— Medical Examiner (@mkemedexamine) September 12, 2019
Sen. Tammy Baldwin announced earlier this month that $5.2 million in federal funding would be used to reduce opioid overdoses in Wisconsin.
The federal funding is being awarded to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Overdose to Action effort that focuses primarily on opioid surveillance and prevention.
Jeffrey Holmes, a dispatcher with the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management said in a Facebook post that he had five calls for overdoses on his shift Tuesday night. One of whom died, according to the dispatcher.
On July 27, the medical examiner was called to five probable drug overdoses in five hours.
If you or someone you know is addicted to opioids, you can call 1-800-662-HELP for confidential assistance in finding resources in your hometown. Visit their website for more information.
