Dane County Heroin Deaths Dropped In 2014

Deaths from heroin were down last year in Dane County by 32 percent, though deaths from unintentional overdoses remained steady overall, according to the county medical examiner.

There were 26 heroin deaths in the county in 2014, but according to Cheryl Wittke — director of nonprofit injury prevention coalition Safe Communities — that number doesn’t include fatal overdoses from prescription painkillers.

“The majority of the deaths that we’re seeing … are prescription opioids,” Wittke said. “Heroin is an issue, continues to be an issue. There’s concern as prescription opioids are less available, people who are addicted turn to heroin. That’s a national trend and that’s a concern.”

Wittke said there are efforts to help wean addicts from opioids safely so they don’t turn to heroin. She also said MedDrop prescription disposal collections have increased 68 percent. Getting rid of old or unused medication can prevent it from being stolen.