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December 7, 2021
 Drug overdose deaths have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of overdose deaths increased 18.2 percent from May 2019 to May 2020 (81,230 drug overdose deaths) compared to June 2018 to June 2019 (~66,250 drug overdose deaths).1 Opioids—mainly synthetic opioids (other than methadone)—are currently the main driver of drug overdose deaths. Prescription opioids were involved in over 28 percent of all opioid overdose deaths in 2019.2 In Lake County, Illinois, opioid overdose deaths rose 19.5 percent in 2020 alone.
Recently, there has been a significant nationwide surge in counterfeit pills killing unsuspecting Americans at an unprecedented rate.3 Mass-produced by criminal drug networks and deceptively marketed as legitimate prescription pills, these counterfeit pills are made to look like real prescription opioid medications such as oxycodone (Oxycontin®, Percocet®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), and alprazolam (Xanax®); or stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall®). Fake prescription pills are widely accessible and often sold on social media and e-commerce platforms, making them available to anyone with a smartphone, including minors. Please take any opportunity you may have to warn those that are vulnerable and please report potential cases of overdose due to counterfeit oxycodone to the Illinois Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for tracking purposes and treatment recommendations as needed.
Naloxone is a non-addictive, life-saving medication. It can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose when used in time. It is easy to get and easy to use. The Lake County Health Department is combating the opioid crisis in a multitude of ways, including distribution of free naloxone to community members and law enforcement personnel. If you need assistance in obtaining naloxone (at no cost), call 847-377-8199.
If you are a health care provider:
- Provide overdose prevention education
- Prescribe or share information on how to obtain naloxone to people who use drugs, their friends, and others likely to witness or experience an overdose.
- Show people how to use naloxone.
If you are a police officer or a fire chief who carries Naloxone on duty:
- Offer naloxone to individuals or household members after an overdose event.
- Provide handouts and contact information for the Substance Abuse Program, A way Out Program and Naloxone Distribution Program in Lake County.
- HAN Archive - 00438 | Health Alert Network (HAN) (cdc.gov)
- Prescription Opioid Overdose Death Maps | Drug Overdose | CDC Injury Center
- DEA Issues Public Safety Alert on Sharp Increase in Fake Prescription Pills Containing Fentanyl and Meth
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