MILWAUKEE — Overdose deaths spiked in Milwaukee County within the past week; one Milwaukee man has made it his mission to stop this tragedy in his community.

Pancho Mercado walks the streets of the Clarke Square neighborhood daily. He hands fentanyl testing strips and narcan out to people in the neighborhood to save lives.

Mercado said the opioid epidemic has taken this neighborhood by storm.

That's why he created Team Havoc nearly 15 years ago — to offer help to people struggling in the area and beyond.

“They don’t know what they are doing. They don’t understand the dangers of what they are ingesting. It’s sad because they are playing Russian Roulette out on the streets," said Mercado, "This is how we live now. It’s a reality. It’s become a norm especially here in the Clarke Square district."

For Mercado, the issue hits close to home. He used opioids as well and was a drug dealer; he said he worked hard to change his life. He said he’s made it his mission to help others overcome addiction and negative influences.

“We are not here to do any harm, to snitch on you, lock you up. We are here to make sure you stay alive. You are somebody’s kid, somebody’s mom, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle. We want them to be able to have a chance at life,” said Mercado.

When Mercado heard there were 17 overdose deaths reported in Milwaukee County over the weekend, he said his heart dropped.

He said he believes it highlights the need for more rehab and residential treatment centers inside the city. Mercado said this is an urgent epidemic.

“'Seventeen addicts, who cares?': That’s the mentality. What they need to do is to continue speaking on it, and continue educating about it. Don’t just put it on the news for one or two days,” said Mercado.

He vowed to continue doing his part trying to reach, and help as many people as possible.