'It's heart-wrenching': Woman shares loss of cousin to addiction, how Milwaukee is combating the crisis

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Every year, thousands of people suffer from substance abuse and overdoses in Milwaukee County and across the state.

"Heartbreaking," said Zora Davis who lost her cousin to addiction. "He's been battling a lot of demons; a lot of demons and it starts off with a lot of drugs involved."

Davis' 38-year-old cousin, David Davis, lost his life battling his longtime addiction Tuesday.

"I get the call, and I have to rush out of my house and to go over on McKinley and see his body coming out from that," said Davis. "It's heart-wrenching."

Officials say 27th Street from Silver Spring to National is one of many neighborhoods in Milwaukee County officials are targeting, holding events and providing resources to combat drug abuse.

"When a person becomes addicted to opiates, they get disconnected from their family, loss of gainful employment, become homeless," said Anthony Turner, a lead certified peer specialist at Wisconsin Community Services. "A lot of things, it’s a domino effect."

According to Milwaukee County, the amount of overdose deaths has doubled from 2010 to 2020. More than 600 people died from overdoses last year in the county alone.

One way to combat those numbers and save lives is using Narcan. It's a drug that can reverse opioid overdose.

"Very simple, it's similar to applying nasal spray to the nose," said Ricky Person, the opioid prevention coordinator with Milwaukee County.

With Narcan, you can be ready to save a life anytime, anywhere.

"The few seconds you'll give someone," said Person. "Narcan, it brings them back a little bit. It gives time for EMT's to get there and it saves lives."

Allowing more people to overcome their addiction and get back home to their loved ones.

There are 11 harm reduction vending machines stocked with Narcan across Milwaukee County. If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction, call 211 for help and resources.