What's next? Monitoring drug trends in southeast Wisconsin

WAUKESHA CO. (WITI) -- You've heard and seen reports about the heroin epidemic in southeast Wisconsin. But heroin isn't the only drug being abused these days. Waukesha County held a drug trend forum on Tuesday, May 20th -- to let everyone know what to watch for.

Officials say the most prevalent drugs are marijuana, prescription medication and heroin.

"The trending has been there and I can tell you now, there is marijuana wax, marijuana brownies, different ways to do marijuana but now the popularity of prescriptions leads them to now the heroin which has always been there," said Capt. Frank McElderry.

As trends come and go, the potency of drugs keeps going up.

"Marijuana is seven percent 15-20 years ago. Now it's 30-40 even 90 percent if it's the wax. That's probably not the drug people are advocating to legalize," said McElderry.

Tuesday's audience was killed with various professionals. The Waukesha County Metro Drug Unit holds forums like this dozens of times each year.

Drug-Free Communities of Waukesha County has two main goals:

CLICK HERE if you'd like to get involved in Drug-Free Communities of Waukesha County.

CLICK HERE if you need help with an addiction to drugs or know someone who does. The Addiction Resource Council may be able to help.