Kankakee County dealing with string of suspected fentanyl overdoses
Kankakee County officials say they’ve seen nine suspected drug overdoses in just 48 hours and three people did not survive.
Alsip woman sentenced to one year for fraudulently writing 85 opioid prescriptions
From 2017 to 2019, prosecutors said Biesiada fraudulently wrote 85 prescriptions to an acquaintance for hydrocodone, oxycodone and other controlled substances.
As opioid overdose deaths hit new record, pressure grows for safe places to inject drugs in Chicago
Cook County recorded more homicides last year than it had in decades, yet twice as many people died from opioid overdose, a rising epidemic that has a growing number of health experts pressing for safe spaces to inject drugs.
Select Chicago libraries to distribute Narcan in new health department program
The initiative will launch in 14 libraries across the city in mid-January and expand to 27 total branches later in 2022, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Homicides and opioid overdose deaths rose in Cook County last year
Homicides and opioid overdose deaths rose in Cook County last year, and while deaths from COVID-19 decreased, they still comprised more than a third of the cases handled by the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
DuPage County doubling budget for special opioid task force
With drug overdoses on the rise, DuPage County is doubling its budget for a special opioid task force.
Fentanyl overdoses become No. 1 cause of death among US adults, ages 18-45: 'A national emergency'
More adults between 18 and 45 died of fentanyl overdoses in 2020 than COVID-19, motor vehicle accidents, cancer and suicide
DEA issues public safety alert about fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl
The DEA has seized more than 9.5-million fake pills this year alone, which is more than the past two years combined.
Illinois AG, CVS unveil new steps to deter pharmacy robberies
Amid an increase in pharmacy robberies, CVS unveiled a new plan to keep drugs safe in Illinois by slowing down the thieves with time delay safes.
Drug safe havens given OK in NYC in effort to curb overdoses
The first officially authorized safe havens for people to use heroin and other narcotics have been cleared to open in New York City in hopes of curbing overdoses.
Cook County saw 45 percent increase in drug overdose deaths during pandemic
Drug overdose deaths increased 30 percent nationwide and hit record levels during the pandemic.
Drug overdoses surging across US
Drugs overdoses are surging in the United States, having taken more live than gun violence and car accidents combined.
US overdose deaths topped 100,000 in a year for 1st time, CDC says
An estimated 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in one year, topping deaths from car crashes, guns and even flu and pneumonia, CDC data shows.
3 men charged after Carol Stream man overdosed on fentanyl, heroin
Three men have been charged after a Carol Stream man overdosed on fentanyl and heroin earlier this year.