Report: Opioid deaths doubled in Wisconsin over decade

MADISON -- The rate of opioid overdose deaths in Wisconsin has nearly doubled over the last decade, according to a new Department of Health Services (DHS) report, “Select Opioid-Related Morbidity and Mortality Data for Wisconsin.”

Findings the Department of Health Services released Friday show the rate of overdose deaths involving heroin grew 880 percent between 2006 and 2015, from 0.5 deaths per 100,000 residents to 4.9 deaths per 100,000.

The rate of opioid overdose deaths, meanwhile, nearly doubled over the decade, from 5.9 deaths per 100,000 residents to 10.7 deaths. The rate of overdose deaths involving prescription opioids increased 26 percent over the decade, from 5.3 per 100,000 residents to 6.7 per 100,000.

Gov. Scott Walker has called a special legislative session to pass a host of bills designed to combat heroin and opioid abuse. It's unclear when the Legislature may vote, however.

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