‘I know I need to stop using, but my brain just won’t let me': Stories of addiction and loss
Fueled by trauma, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and given deadly effect by the dangerous opioid fentanyl, the rate of fatal opioid overdoses in Wisconsin has never been as high as it is today. Here are stories of six of those who died.
(6) updates to this series since Updated
Sarah Caldwell, 32, died from an overdose involving heroin in July 2020.
Auriel McNutt, 27, died from an overdose involving fentanyl in June 2020.
Steven Welnetz, 21, died from an overdose involving fentanyl in November 2021.
Erin Kjellstrom, 27, died from an overdose involving fentanyl in May 2020.
Abraham Bendorf, 20, died from an overdose involving fentanyl in February 2021.
Isaac Weires, 19, died from an overdose involving fentanyl in December 2020.
The preliminary 2021 total has surpassed 2020's record, with reports for last year still coming in.
The bill comes as Wisconsin opioid overdose deaths have increased drastically over the past decade, due in large part to fentanyl.
Monarch Health, which opened in September 2020, is closing Friday.
But 6-year-old Brody Koslowski's Batten disease isn't the family's only medical struggle.
77% of people died in their home or the home of a friend or relative, according to a Public Health Madison and Dane County review of some 2020 cases.
Doctors opposed the measure, saying it could remove them from patient care.
The state had 1,387 opioid fatalities last year, based on preliminary figures, up from 1,227 in 2020.
The state has received $6 million of more than $500 million expected. A record 1,415 residents died from opioid overdoses last year, according to preliminary figures.
The objection Wednesday came as the state issued a public health advisory about fentanyl deaths, which have recently accounted for 91% of all opioid overdose deaths.
Horizon High School in Madison is the only sober school for students with substance use disorders in Wisconsin and one of 45 nationwide.
In Dane County, 139 people died from opioid overdoses last year, also a record.
The study is part of growing research finding links between intestinal health and various forms of addiction, including to opioids and alcohol.
The state Department of Health Services sent the plan to the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee, which has objected to previous plans.
