FBI Report Analyzes Wisconsin Heroin Problem

MILWAUKEE (AP) - The FBI says heroin abuse seems to be getting worse in Wisconsin as abusers seek a cheaper alternative to prescription pills such as Vicodin and Percocet.

Law enforcement officials have seen a spike in heroin usage since about 2008.

Because of reporting variations around the state, it's been hard to quantify just how bad the problem is.

So the FBI conducted a yearlong analysis.

The agency made its report made available Tuesday, and said the observations are based largely on anecdotal data because hard statistics aren't readily available.

The FBI says heroin apparently arrives in Wisconsin by way of Minneapolis, Chicago, and Rockford, Illinois.

One hit costs $12 to $15 in Milwaukee and about twice that, due to supply and demand, in the Green Bay area.