Wisconsin Battles Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse
Jan 19, 2012
Dane Country, where Madison, Wisconsin, is located, has seen another record year for the number of deaths from heroin and prescription drug abuse. Of the 28 total drug deaths, heroin is by far the biggest killer, taking 23 lives in 2011 compared with 17 in 2010 and four in 2006. Dane County Sgt. Tony Fleres says there's no indication that heroin use is abating, with people turning to the drug as prescription opiates become harder to get. That's both because of the higher price of prescription drugs and because federal law enforcement officials have been cracking down on practices like doctor-shopping and fraudulent prescriptions.
Of the remaining overdose deaths in the past two years, prescription opiates make up the bulk. Madison and Dane County officials announced a drug-fighting initiative in October and established several work groups to tackle issues related to drug abuse. Those issues include reducing access to drugs, stemming inappropriate prescription drug use, improving overdose interventions, early drug treatment, and providing access to mental health providers for addicts. "This is a devastating issue that affects individuals and families throughout the city and the county," said Madison Mayor Paul Soglin.
Heroin, Prescription for Disaster: How Teens Abuse Medicine, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone
Return to view all news
Source
The Cap Times