WAUSAU PILOT AND REVIEW
Attorney General Josh Kaul on Monday announced Wisconsin has joined multistate investigations of opioid distributors and is seeking support for the Wisconsin Department of Justice in a budget request.
“The opioid epidemic is the most significant public-safety challenge we face,” said Attorney General Kaul. “Part of our response must include looking into whether conduct that may have contributed to that epidemic was unlawful and, if so, holding accountable those who broke the law.”
In September 2017, a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general publicly disclosed their joint investigations into the opioid manufacturers and distributors and disclosed that they were seeking documents and information about distribution practices of the following opioid distributors: AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson. These distributors manage approximately 90 percent of the nation’s opioid distribution. Under Attorney General Kaul, Wisconsin Department of Justice joined the distributor investigations.
These investigations are in addition to the multistate investigations of opioid manufacturers, which Wisconsin is also participating in.
The Department of Justice’s budget request also includes proposed funding that would help communities fight the opioid epidemic:
- Funding the Division of Criminal Investigation, which works with local law enforcement to investigate drug traffickers.
- Additional digital forensic examiners, who can analyze computers, cellphones and other electronic devices.
- A forensic accountant who can assist with financial aspects of investigations.
- Community policing grants.
The announcement was made Monday in Eau Claire. Kaul will also stop in Wausau Monday to discuss the decision at a news conference set for 1:30 p.m. at the Marathon County Courthouse.
