Medical examiner investigates 8 probable overdose deaths in Milwaukee Co.

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office investigated eight probable overdose deaths in Milwaukee County this past weekend.

"This is a large number. This was a big impact to our weekend," Sara Schreiber with the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office said.

State data shows 622 people died of opioid-related overdoses in 2014 and 614 in 2015, the two highest annual death totals since 2003.

Gov. Scott Walker has called a special session to pass more measures, including granting addicts legal immunity and having addicts civilly committed. Critics say the state needs to do even more and treat opioids like a full-blown epidemic.

Sara Schreiber

"This isn't only in Wisconsin. This is a nationwide problem," Schreiber said.

"If we don't work together to get out in front of this and continue what we're doing, it's gonna bury us. The medical community is working very hard on this," Attorney General Brad Schimel said.

On Monday at the Country Springs Hotel & Water Park in Waukesha, medical professionals discussed how best to address the growing opioid problem.

"They're seeing this on the front end. They're dealing with people coming in who overdosed. No one wants to work in that environment," Schimel said.

If you or someone you know needs help with an opioid addiction, CLICK HERE to access the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Dose of Reality campaign.