Mayor Johnson: Milwaukee overdose deaths declining for fourth straight year

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Local leaders marked International Overdose Awareness Day on Monday, Aug. 31, highlighting a 4-year decline in overdose deaths across Milwaukee County.

"Milwaukee overdose deaths have been trending downward in recent years, and that's a really, really good thing," said Mayor Cavalier Johnson. "It's encouraging, that progress is, and it reflects the work of people and organizations here and beyond here and the work that they're doing in neighborhoods all across Milwaukee."

Johnson said the decline doesn't mean the work is finished.

"Every overdose death represents a person, it represents a family, represents a community that's affected by loss."

Anyone struggling with substance use can call the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357, which is free and confidential.