Seventeen Overdose Deaths in Milwaukee County Since Saturday

The City of Milwaukee and local officials held a press conference on Tuesday after 17 people in the county died from an overdose since Saturday. An increase in nonfatal overdose incidents also occurred. This translates to one overdose death every four hours when normally the county experiences one every 16 hours.

TMJ4 says the deaths may signify a possible “bad batch.” A press release from the city states, "With one death every 16 hours, the overdose epidemic has become a public health crisis.” The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet confirmed which substances were present in the 17 victims, but Dr. Ben Weston said he would “certainly bet” fentanyl was a major factor.

According to The Journal Sentinal, of the victims, 14 of the overdoses were in Milwaukee, one was in West Allis, and one was in South Milwaukee. The average age of the victims was 50 years old, and mostly men. However, the total age range was 22 to 83. At least four victims were houseless. 

The latest data from the medical examiner’s office shows fentanyl-related overdoses claimed the lives of 462 people in Milwaukee County last year alone. That’s more than homicides, suicides, and car crashes combined. All Milwaukee County fire stations will now be supplying fentanyl testing strips and Narcan.