Medical Examiner’s Office: Milwaukee County averages 1 overdose every 14 hours

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Medical Examiner's Office gave a grim update to the opioid crisis in Milwaukee Thursday.

They say there have been 127 probable overdose deaths since July 1st. 

That's an average of one overdose every 14 hours. 

If the current trend continues, the county is on track to have a record 453 overdose deaths this year.

MCMEO has responded to 127 probable drug overdoses since July 1, an average of one death every 14 hours. If current trends continue, Milwaukee County on track to record 453 overdose deaths in 2019.

— Medical Examiner (@mkemedexamine) September 12, 2019

First responder Ryan Janus, with Bell Ambulance, says they've seen a rise in overdose deaths over the years.

"I think every community across the country, this is something we need to be concerned about," Janus said. 

He says a lot of opioid-related calls in Milwaukee involve heroin mixed with something else, like fentanyl. 

Janus says all of their vehicles are equipped with Narcan, a life-saving drug that can reverse an opioid overdose.