By: Associated Press//July 6, 2015//
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee County medical examiner’s office says it has investigated 16 probable heroin-related deaths in the past week.
Twelve of the deaths occurred in Milwaukee County, and four happened in neighboring counties. A final cause of death for each case is pending further toxicology results.
The medical examiner’s office says through June 6, 44 heroin deaths have been confirmed in Milwaukee County this year. If the additional deaths also are confirmed to be related to heroin, it would amount to a one-week jump of 27 percent in this year’s tally in the county.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Milwaukee County has faced a steady but alarming increase in fatal heroin overdoses over the past few years. In 2014, 119 people died from heroin-related overdoses.