In 2017 -- the most recent year with available data -- there were 916 opioid-related overdose deaths in Wisconsin. In 2016, Wisconsin saw 865 opioid-related overdose deaths.The opioid crisis continues to affect families throughout the state. People with addiction...
Drug Charges
Meth Use Has Skyrocketed in Wisconsin, Study Shows
Most adults in Wisconsin have heard about the opioid epidemic that's gripping the United States. Over-prescription of painkillers, ease of access and high potential for addiction are just some of the contributing factors.However, right alongside opioid addiction is...
Milwaukee Takes Steps to Fight Opioid Addiction
The opioid epidemic in the United States is a known crisis. Perhaps you've experienced addiction firsthand, or know someone who has. If so, you're not alone. Opioid use has skyrocketed in Wisconsin and is now a leading cause of death in the state, surpassing car...
Marijuana Charges: Wisconsin Penalties Still Harsh
At a time when many states are legalizing marijuana or adopting laws that are more lenient when it comes to marijuana-related drug offenses, Wisconsin continues to enforce harsh laws and penalties around marijuana. Possession of any amount is considered a serious...
Wisconsin Counties Plan to Sue Drug Makers for Opioid Epidemic
Opioid abuse has been declared a public health crisis in Wisconsin, and the reality is that anyone can develop a problem with opioids. Addiction affects people from all walks of life, and courts are gradually coming to realize that they can't simply incarcerate the...
U.S. Attorney General Aims to Crack Down on Marijuana
There continues to be a lot of confusion about marijuana laws on the local, state and federal levels.For example, Wisconsin has a patchwork of marijuana laws, with some cities having decriminalized possession of small amounts, but possession of any amount remains...
Marijuana Law Reform: Wisconsin Lawmakers Urged to ‘Get with the Times’
Since the governor signed a bill in April, use of cannabis oil to treat seizures is now legal in Wisconsin. However, possessing other forms of marijuana remains illegal at the state level, and people arrested for marijuana possession can face serious consequences,...
Wisconsin Lawmakers Push for Legalization of Medical Marijuana
"We're not criminals. We no longer want to live in the shadows of society."Those are the words of a Gulf War veteran who recently spoke at a Capitol news conference in Madison. He was referring to his use of marijuana to treat his back pain and PTSD. He said that,...
Many Unsure about Wisconsin’s Patchwork of Marijuana Laws
Many people are under the impression that possessing a small amount of marijuana is no longer a crime in Wisconsin. But in reality, it's easy to run afoul of Wisconsin's marijuana laws, and what you don't know can hurt you.Is possession of marijuana legal in...
Wisconsin Cities Decriminalize Marijuana, But State Law Remains Tough
Cities across Wisconsin, including Waukesha and Milwaukee, have adopted municipal ordinances that decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. Those cities still impose fines for simple possession, however, with the amount of the fine varying from city to...