MILWAUKEE -- It's no secret Milwaukee County is under a heroin epidemic. In just one week this past summer the medical examiner reported nine heroin-related deaths in one weekend.
Alan Wedal of ARCpoint Labs joined Live at Daybreak on Saturday and shared some ways to spot if someone you know is possibly addicted to heroin.
He tells parents first to trust your instincts. Ask yourself if there has been a big change in your child? This includes their mood or missing curfews.
Another way to tell us if your child starts hanging out with new friends you've never seen before.
You should also keep an eye on what's in your medicine cabinet. Is anything missing? Make sure to keep your prescriptions under lock and key.
Wedal said it can start with a simple procedure that includes pain drugs or marijuana that can lead to heroin addiction.
He urges you should never hesitate to give your child a drug test if you believe they are abusing drugs. Along with urine testing, labs can also do nail or hair testing that can go back 90 days.
