MCMEO responds to 6 probable overdose deaths in nearly 6 hours

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee County continues to struggle with a drug crisis. In just a matter of hours, the Medical Examiner’s Office responded to multiple overdose deaths yesterday afternoon.

"Within a span of about five and half hours, we had six probable drug related deaths reported to this office," said Sara Schreiber, Forensic technical director for Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office.

The overdose deaths were spread across the city, from the north side to the south side and to the east side.

Five of the victims were men, and one was a woman. They range in ages 35 to 64 years old. The M.E.'s office can't yet say what drugs were involved until toxicology tests are done.

"It's a little premature to say these individuals had opioids in them at the time that they died,” Schreiber said. “Given what we have as an epidemic or what is prevailing as a crisis, it's certainly a plausible idea."

Also alarming is the number of overdose deaths in the last week -- a total of 21. That's on pace to beat last year's numbers.

"We're still finishing a few cases, but we're at 415 for last year, and at this pace that we're looking at for 2020 going above 500, this is still a very significant issue in this county."

Authorities are investigating.

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office says it responded to several probable overdose deaths on Monday, Feb. 24.

MCMEO says it responded to six deaths within five and a half hours. 

In the span of 5 1/2 hours yesterday, MCMEO responded to six probable OD deaths. Victims range in age from 36 to 64. #doseofrealityWI

— Medical Examiner (@mkemedexamine) February 25, 2020

Victims range in age from 34-64.