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Experts say that heroin use is an epidemic in Wisconsin, especially in smaller communities.
You may not hear about it much in your neighborhood, but Dr. John L. Olsen, MD., of Prevea Health says, make no mistake about it, heroin is a problem in Wisconsin- including here in Sheboygan.
Dr. Olsen, who is a Psychiatrist in Sheboygan says, “The misuse of heroin is a serious problem in Sheboygan, especially among young adults.”
According to Dr. Olsen, heroin consumption in Wisconsin mirrors a growing national trend of increased heroin use, which often results in deadly outcomes.
Wisconsin’s rate of heroin-related deaths has steadily risen over the last ten years according to Doctor Olsen. He says that between the years 2000, and 2007, there were twenty-nine heroin related deaths annually. By 2010, the rate was ninety-three, and nearly two hundred in 2012. By 2013 there were 227 heroin related deaths reported in Wisconsin - a ten percent increase over the previous year, Dr. Olsen says.
Data released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) only shows three-to-six recorded heroin related deaths in Sheboygan County over the last five years. But, Dr. Olsen believes those statistics do not accurately reflect what he believes in reality is a growing deadly trend. Dr. Olsen says many factors contribute to the difficulty of declaring some deaths as being, “heroin related.” Therefore, he suspects there is a serious problem of under reporting.
Dr. Olsen says the devil may be in the details of autopsy reports which are not typically performed in cases that are deemed by coroners to be non-suspicious.
“County coroners say death records likely underestimate the number of overdose deaths. Heroin breaks down quickly in our systems and may not be identified as a cause of death,” says Olsen.
Note: Next, Doctor Olsen explains how to recognize the signs of heroin addiction.
