Local news- Press Release
Kenosha County Wisconsin - Medical Examiner s Office responds to recent string of suspected overdose deaths 31 December 2023 ( news )
Kenosha County , state Wisconsin ( By Press Release office)
Dec 31,2023
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Kenosha County Medical Examiner Patrice Hall is again warning the public about the dangers of illegal drug use after a recent spate of suspected overdose deaths .
Hall’s office has responded to nine of these cases in a recent 12 - day period , including three on Saturday , Dec . 30 .
The deceased individuals have ranged in age from late - 20s to mid - 50s , and the deaths have occurred in various locations in the City of Kenosha and west of Interstate 94 , Hall said .
A variety of substances are believed to be involved in these deaths , including cocaine , heroin , methamphetamines , and counterfeit prescription pills . The exact cause of each death will not be known until toxicology results become available , which often takes months , Hall said .
“I can’t stress enough how great of a risk people are taking if they use illegal drugs and counterfeit pills , ” Hall said . “Substances of all sorts are being laced with fentanyl , which can be deadly when used even in small amounts . If you obtain drugs illegally , you truly do not know what you are getting . ”
Hall noted that help is available and recovery is possible for people struggling with substance use . Kenosha County agencies continue to offer numerous prevention resources , including Narcan and fentanyl test strips .
People who are seeking help for themselves or for a loved one struggling with substance use are encouraged to contact the Kenosha County Behavioral Health Resource Center at 262 - 764 - 8555 . More information about the Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition and its work is available at
https://www . kenoshacounty . org/2295/Save - Lives - Kenosha
.
“One life lost is too many , and there are resources available that can save lives , ” Hall said . “I encourage people to be aware of what is available . ”
More information about available resources:
Narcan
, a life - saving medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose , is available at no cost from Kenosha County Public Health . More information about this program is available at
https://narcantrainedkenosha . com
, by calling 262 - 605 - 6741 , or by sending an email to
narcan@kenoshacounty . org
.
Fentanyl test strips
are also available from Kenosha County Public Health and are offered to people who receive Narcan . The strips can be used to detect the presence of fentanyl in other substances . Strips may be picked up from 8:30 to 5 p . m . Monday - Friday at the Kenosha County Public Health Job Center Clinic , 8600 Sheridan Road , Kenosha . For more information , call 262 - 605 - 6775 . They are also available from Vivent Health - Kenosha , which may be reached at 262 - 657 - 6644 or online at
https://viventhealth . org/locations/kenosha/
.
The Kenosha County Behavioral Health Resource Center
, which links people with substance use disorder resources , may be reached from 8 a . m . to 5 p . m . Monday - Friday at 262 - 764 - 8555 . More details , including a Kenosha County Behavioral Health Community Resources Guide , are available at
https://www . kenoshacounty . org/2242/Behavioral - Health - Community - Resources
.
The Kenosha County Crisis Hotline
, operated by Kenosha Human Development Services , is available 24 hours a day , seven days a week , at 262 - 657 - 7188 .
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