Attorney General Josh Kaul believes in a three-pronged approach to addressing Wisconsin’s ongoing opioid and meth epidemics.
Accountability—Drug Trafficking Investigation and Prosecution
Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) works statewide to dismantle large-scale drug trafficking efforts. From a 20-pound fentanyl seizure in Appleton to a meth conspiracy bringing more than 20 pounds of meth into central Wisconsin, DCI works with local, state and federal law enforcement partners to combat opioid and meth trafficking in Wisconsin.
Accountability—Manufacturers/Distributors (Timeline visual)
The opioid epidemic has led to considerable harm in Wisconsin over the last 20 years. Between 1999 and 2019, 9,344 Wisconsinites have died from an opioid overdose.
In March of 2019, Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ), at Attorney General Kaul’s direction, joined multistate investigations of opioid distributors AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson. On February 25, 2022, Attorney General Kaul announced a final agreement with AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKessen that will direct over $400 million to Wisconsin communities to prevent and treat opioid use disorder.
In February of 2021, Attorney General Kaul joined a coalition of attorneys general in a $573 million agreement with McKinsey & Company, resolving investigations into the company’s role in working for opioid businesses.
On July 27, 2022, Wisconsin DOJ announced an agreement in principle on key financial terms with opioid maker Teva, which would provide up to $4.25 billion to participating states and local governments. This settlement is expected to yield millions more for Wisconsin.
And on July 29, 2022, Wisconsin DOJ announced another agreement in principle on important financial terms that would require former opioid maker Allergan to pay up to $2.37 billion to participating states and local governments, also expected to result in millions for Wisconsin’s efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.
The state of Wisconsin and Wisconsin municipalities are currently on track to receive at least $434 million in opioid settlements to combat the epidemic.
Prevention
In February of 2022, to stay up to date with the evolving drug epidemic, Wisconsin DOJ partnered with Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to update the Dose of Reality opioid misuse prevention program with the goal of changing the conversation around Wisconsin’s opioid epidemic with an updated information and education campaign. The Dose of Reality initiative provides the tools for all Wisconsinites to prevent or reduce the risks of opioid use through open and honest talks about the dangers of opioids and ways to save lives.
The updated Dose of Reality initiative includes a series of webpages found at DoseofRealitywi.gov that:
Provide information about safe storage and disposal of medications to keep them out of the hands of people who may misuse them.
Offer strategies to support people at risk of or experiencing an opioid use disorder.
Provide information on naloxone, its availability, and how to use it to reverse an opioid overdose.
Help people find treatment and recovery services for an opioid use disorder.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration leads two Drug Take Back days annually, one in the spring and one in the fall. DOJ partners with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to organize and promote Drug Take Back throughout Wisconsin. Drug Take Back provides a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the community about the potential abuse and consequences of improper storage and disposal of these medications. Since Wisconsin DOJ began promoting Drug Take Back days in May of 2015, the state of Wisconsin has disposed of 858,978 lbs of drugs. Wisconsin is regularly among the states disposing of the greatest weight of drugs, coming in first nationally in the Spring of 2022 and Fall of 2021.
Treatment
Access to treatment continues to be a barrier to many struggling with substance use disorder. Thanks to funds secured through settlements reached with opioid manufacturers and distributors for their part in the opioid epidemic, millions of dollars will flow into our communities to help Wisconsinites with opioid use disorder.
Wisconsin DOJ administers the Treatment and Diversion (TAD) programs around the state, a critical piece in fight the drug epidemic. TAD programs help those who have entered the criminal justice system due to a substance use disorder get the treatment they need. Wisconsin DOJ currently supports ## TAD programs following a significant expansion of $2.5 million annually in the 2021-2023 biennial budget.