More Young People Dying From Overdoses In Wisconsin, Report Finds

A new report shows the number of Wisconsin’s young people dying from drug overdoses has quadrupled over the last twelve years.

The nonprofit group behind the study, Trust for America’s Health, said death rates are going up in part because of the over-prescription of painkillers.

Despite that, the group’s deputy director Rich Hamburg said Wisconsin actually got a relatively good grade in the report. He noted that fatal overdoses have risen nationwide, and said Wisconsin’s recently passed “Good Samaritan” law is a very positive step forward.

“You want to make sure that there’s no barrier — no one gives a second thought to bringing their friend in and calling an ambulance,” said Hamburg.

He added that Wisconsin needs to improve anti-bullying programs and re-think harsh prison sentences for nonviolent drug offenders.