Milwaukee Post
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• The first Crayola crayons were sold door to door for a nickel. • A study of the effects of music levels on drinking in a bar setting has found that loud music leads to more drinking in less time. – Source: sotruefacts.com Local news at your fingertips Visit www.gmtoday.com 414.769.9240 For Independent Seniors 55 & Better • Country Like Setting • Gazebo & Garden • Huge Closets • Large Open Kitchen • Same floor laundry • Elevator & Library • 1 & 2 Bedroom Starting at $600 • Small Pets Welcomed • Professional Management • Income Restrictions Apply Thompson Meadows $ 99 SECURITY DEPOSIT 3120 E. Norwich Avenue • St. Francis thompsonmeadows@aol.com 1 or 2 Bedroom w/1 month FREE SATURDAY, Jan. 14th, 2017 4pm - 7:00pm Ryan (school) Hall ☞ Dinner Includes Tossed Salad, Italian Bread Coffee and Milk Pd Advertisement 253675044 Our Favorite Italian Dinner Our Favorite Italian Dinner Enjoy Dinner & Play-Off Game with us! Available Take-Outs, Beverages & Desserts Pull Tabs and Raffles, Fun For All, Free Parking ADULT • $10 CHILD under 12 • $8 TV VIEWING WILL BE AVAILABLE. Church of the Immaculate Conception 1023 E. Russell Ave • Milwaukee 414-769-2480 Our Favorite Italian Dinner Church of the Immaculate Conception Zimmermann's Service 360 E. Howard Ave. 414-744-9868 253675022 With coupon. Expires 1/20/17. per axle. ALIGNMENT most cars $ 48 95 DID YOU KNOW? MARK BELLING Trump can learn from Wisconsin Page 8 He needs to avoid caving to leftist backlash MARCUS CENTER IS ALIVE WITH 'THE SOUND OF MUSIC' – PAGE 15 OWEN ROBINSON Obama's parting shots mostly duds Page 9 President's moves complicate Trump transition MILWAUKEE COUNTY'S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 6, 2017 By DAVE FIDLIN Special to the Post MILWAUKEE — Opioid abuse has grabbed countless headlines, sparked numerous neighbor- hood-level meetings and brought together people from different professional backgrounds. But recent statistics reveal more work lies ahead. Although a spotlight has been beamed on the dangers of heroin in recent years, fatalities stem- ming from it and other drugs remain a pervasive problem, as evidenced by year-end statistics out of the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's office. Following an upward trajecto- ry throughout the year, county officials have confirmed at least 290 drug-related overdose deaths throughout 2016. The number is tentative and could increase once investigations into a number of pending cases are concluded. According to data from the medical examiner's office, opioid overdose deaths within the coun- ty have more than doubled with- in the past five years — from 144 in 2012 to the 290 confirmed cases in 2016. While the dangers of heroin have been widely circulated in recent years, the drug prevention conversation is beginning to shift toward fentanyl, a potent, synthetic prescription medica- tion that is used to relieve pain quickly. Its ability to work rapid- ly has also resulted in its grow- ing abuse. The medical examiner's office began teaming up this past year with the Medical College of Wisconsin to distill recent data and look into future prevention strategies. The number of fentanyl-spe- cific overdose deaths has been credited with at least some of the increase during the five-year period under the microscope. In 2012, five of the 144 over- doses within the county were linked to fentanyl. In 2016, at least 77 cases have been con- firmed, based on the closed cases. "Fentanyl is a powerful and dangerous drug that we see more and more frequently in overdose cases," Brooke Lerner, a doctor leading MCW's analysis, said. Part of the problem, Lerner said, is the amount of misinfor- mation on fentanyl and its dan- gers. "In some cases, users may know that fentanyl is present, but Opioid overdose deaths spike in 2016 See OPIOIDS on Page 17 New task force to be announced this year By the numbers Opioid overdose deaths in Milwaukee County 2012 — 144 2013 — 181 2014 — 220 2015 — 231 2016 — 290 (tentative) Source: Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office