McHenry County continues to see an increase in overdose deaths

MCHENRY COUNTY — Back in 2021, the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) launched an “Opioid Surveillance and Response” program on its website to try to combat the overwhelming overdose health burden being experienced throughout the county.

Despite the county’s best efforts, a recent significant increase in suspected fatal overdoses has been identified within a four-week period between May 12 and June 9, according to MCDH.

“Based on provisional McHenry County Coroner’s Office data, there were 2.5 times more overdoses during this time period compared to the preceding four weeks,” stated the health department in a press release statement. “This increase in suspected fatal overdoses overlaps the time frame of a reported increase in non-fatal opioid overdoses that MCDH identified earlier this month.”

While not every drug-related death has been confirmed as a result of opioid abuse, MCDH reports that most overdose deaths in McHenry County are caused by opioids, most often fentanyl.

Not all opioid overdoses result in fatalities, however, as MCDH took to warning residents earlier this month about a significant increase in non-fatal overdoses.

As for the reason why there continues to be an increase in these overdoses, MCDH has previously attributed it to the rise in fentanyl becoming more common in illicit drugs. Fentanyl has been found laced with other drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine or pressed into counterfeit prescription drugs.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains that some drug dealers mix fentanyl with other street drugs because it takes very little of the cheaper synthetic opioid to create a high, thus increasing a drug’s effects but also creating a potentially lethal combination for users.

Per the most recent MCDH opioid surveillance report that was last updated back in March, there were approximately 195 opioid overdose deaths reported in 2022.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), on the other hand, reported a total of 185 opioid overdose-related emergency department visits in McHenry County last year.

In late 2022 and into 2023, the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office’s drug prosecution unit observed that heroin laced with fentanyl had significantly declined as a cause of death in McHenry County, but crack and powder cocaine laced with fentanyl, as well as pure fentanyl being sold under the appearance of different substances, had taken hold as a leading cause of overdose deaths.

Seven people died of fentanyl overdoses in the county between Feb. 22 and March 21, stated the state’s attorney’s office. Most of those individuals succumbed to the deadly combination of cocaine laced with fentanyl.

With the county still grappling with the devastating effects of opioid use, MCDH is continuing to partner with other organizations to ensure individuals have the supplies they need to remain safe.

MCDH and its partners are committed to offering residents fentanyl test strips, which can be used to detect fentanyl in all types of drugs and can help prevent an overdose.

Additionally, naloxone (also referred to as Narcan) is also being offered free of charge and can help in reversing an overdose. Multiple doses of Narcan may be needed in some instances and rescue breaths may be needed in addition to Narcan, said MCDH.

Fentanyl test strips and Narcan are available at these locations:

MCDH locations in Crystal Lake (100 N. Virginia Street), and Woodstock (2200 N. Seminary Avenue). No identifying information is needed to receive these supplies and are available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call 815-334-4500 for more information and ask to speak to someone about Narcan.

Live4Lali offers supplies online or by calling or texting them at 224-297-4393.

Warp Corps offers supplies from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 114 N. Benton Street in Woodstock, or by calling 815-958-6256.

The Break offers supplies by calling 815-575-9358.

Those looking for further support and navigation to treatment should contact A Way Out by calling 815-347-0385 or emailing [email protected].