Wisconsin opioid epidemic: Listening session recommendations
MADISON, Wis. - State officials have come up with a list of recommendations on how to respond to the opioid epidemic in Wisconsin after holding a series of listening sessions and hearing from those who have struggled with addiction.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services report that resulted from those sessions says the state needs more treatment places for people who are addicted to opioids, more availability of overdose treatments and a willingness to address the root causes of addiction.
The state is due to receive more than $400 million in funding from the settlement of a multistate lawsuit against four pharmaceutical companies accused of fueling the opioid epidemic. The companies settled for $26 billion, but did not admit any wrongdoing.
By state law, 70% of the opioid settlement money will go to county and local governments and 30% will go to DHS.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
"This money is going to transform our response to the opioid epidemic," state Attorney General Josh Kaul said in a recent interview with Wisconsin Public Radio. "My hope is to see those funds go toward long-term investments that can help us ultimately beat this epidemic, including funding things like treatment programs, prevention programs and recovery programs."
During the sessions, officials heard from substance abuse professionals, people in recovery and family members of those who’ve struggled with addictions. The study's recommendations include a range of interventions, including addressing childhood traumas that can put people at risk for addiction later in life and further expanding access to the overdose treatment naloxone.
Featured
Milwaukee mayoral election 2022: Acting mayor versus conservative
Milwaukee voters will be electing the city's first new mayor in nearly 20 years on Tuesday, April 5.
Featured
Hartford mayor gun controversy, 5 write-in candidates
The mayoral race in Hartford is getting interesting. The ballot says the current mayor runs unopposed, but there are now five write-in candidates. It's partly in response to a gun controversy.
Featured
39th and Roberts shooting: Man wounded, no arrests made
Milwaukee police are investigating a shooting that occurred on Monday, April 4 near 39th and Roberts.