DOJ: Report shows success in fight against drug epidemic statewide

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – The Wisconsin Department of Justice says it is succeeding in the fight against the drug epidemic.

October marks National Substance Abuse Prevention Month.

On Monday, October 5, the DOJ released its report showing how two assistant attorneys general placed in Wausau and Appleton have helped prosecute 68 homicide and drug cases in 2019.

The two attorneys work with local law enforcement in training, investigating and prosecuting. They also provide assistance and bring a different level of expertise to district attorneys around Wisconsin.

State Attorney General Josh Kaul explained the goal is to find and put drug traffickers behind bars.

“The opioid epidemic has really shifted so that fentanyl and heroin and other illegal opioids are playing an enormous role in overdose deaths right now,” he said. “Continuing to work to dismantle organizations that traffic those drugs is critical.”

The two positions are slated to end in 2023, but Kaul would like to see them extended by state lawmakers.

The full report can be read here.