DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A statewide campaign aimed at raising awareness for methamphetamine use in Wisconsin is receiving more than $200,000 in new funding.
The devastating effects of drugs have been hitting Wisconsin communities hard, and just in the last seven years, the state has seen a nearly 500 percent increase in people using meth.
On Monday, Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel announced that settlement money from the state Department of Justice is now being used to fund the next phase of the state’s KNOW Meth campaign.
With the money, the state plans to launch a series of educational ads.
The state has also added new positions to help combat the issues.
Schimel tells FOX 11…
“Methamphetamine is back. It has seeped into our community and is altering our families, communities and we have to do something about it. Prevention is critical but it’s only one part. We have also hired an assistant attorney general who works out of the Eau Claire Division of Criminal office. They will provide assistance for meth-related agencies and prosecutors.”
In 2017, the Brown County Sheriff’s Department seized 10.68 pounds of meth following a five-month investigation and seven people were arrested as a result.
Chief Deputy Todd Delain of the Brown County Sheriff’s Department tells FOX 11 in total, the department made 127 meth-related arrests and seized more than 6,500 grams of methamphetamine in 2017.
“Here in Northeast Wisconsin, we have really seen the meth issue creep in the area around 2014 when we really saw an increase in meth users and dealers. Again methamphetamine is a drug that is devastating for a family, it’s the only thing that they can focus on to get that high, and they will do anything to support that habit.”
Schimel, who is seeking re-election this fall, toured the state Monday to talk about the program.
