Fentanyl Crisis Reaches Will County: Opioid Present in All Recent Drug Overdose Deaths

WILL COUNTY, IL - A drug epidemic afflicting people in many parts of the U.S. and countries throughout the world has made its way to Will County.

Heroin and fentanyl overdose deaths are increasing locally, according to recent autopsy reports from the office of Will County Coroner Pat O’Neil. Fentanyl is a manufactured opioid that reportedly more than 50 times stronger than heroin.

“In the last three months, almost all of our overdose deaths have involved fentanyl,” O’Neil said. “Fentanyl is often fatal, even in small doses. People do not know what they are getting and they are dying.”

Dr. Kathleen Burke, local director of substance use initiatives, said she has been training first responders and member of other community agencies on how to administer Narcan, a powerful antidote that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose in progress. Continuing to expand access to Narcan across the county is critical to addressing the drug problem, she says.

“Fentanyl is so deadly and there is no way to regulate the amount used," Burke said. "People are dying because it is so much more potent. Opioids hijack the brain so people with a substance use disorder are not able to make wise decisions. The addition of fentanyl makes it even more difficult to reverse these overdoses and save lives.”

For more information about fentanyl or Narcan training, contact Burke at 815-774-7486.