McHenry County Opioid Fatal Overdoses More Than Double In Last Month

ALGONQUIN, IL — McHenry County health officials reported a significant increase in suspected opioid overdose deaths over a four-week period, the health department reported on Friday.

While McHenry County does not report the specific number of overdose deaths to protect the privacy of victims’ families, the department said that overdose deaths said increased by more than double between May 12 and June 9, the agency said.

The increase in suspected fatal overdoses overlaps a period of an increase in non-fatal overdoses identified by county health officials.

While these deaths have not been confirmed as opioid-related, health officials said that most overdose deaths in McHenry County are caused by opioids — most often fentanyl.

Fentanyl is becoming more common in illicit drugs, even laced with another drug — most commonly cocaine or methamphetamine. It is also often pressed into counterfeit prescription drugs. Health officials said it is one of the most lethal forms of opioids.

As a way of striving to protect local residents, the county health department offers fentanyl test strips, which can be used to detect fentanyl in all types of drugs, and can help or even prevent an overdose, while naloxone (also referred to as Narcan) can help reverse an overdose.

Multiple doses of Narcan may be needed in some instances, and rescue breaths may be needed in addition to Narcan. For instructions on how to administer Narcan Nasal Spray, please read the Instructions for Use available from Narcan.

For a list of sites where test strips can be obtained at no cost, residents are encouraged to visit the health department's website.