Community Corner
2 Kilos Of Fentanyl Found In Truck On Route 14: Police
Authorities in McHenry County say the fentanyl bust is one of the largest ever in the county.
MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — Authorities recovered nearly two kilograms of fentanyl in a truck in Cary, which is one of the biggest fentanyl busts ever in McHenry County, police said Wednesday.
Deputies with the McHenry County Sheriff's Office located the fentanyl in a truck on Route 14 in Cary, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid similar to morphine but about 100 times more potent. It is usually used to treat patients with chronic severe pain or severe pain following surgery, but drug dealers mix fentanyl with other drugs, such as heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine to increase the volume and increase their profits, according to authorities.
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Two milligrams of fentanyl, which is about the equivalent of 10 to 15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose, and one kilogram of fentanyl can kill up to 500,000 people, according to a news release.
Authorities say drug trafficking organizations typically distribute fentanyl by the kilogram.
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The opioid crisis continues to be an issues across the U.S. In McHenry County, drug overdoses have decreased in recent years, from 78 int 2017 to 41 in 2022.
In Lake County, health officials issued an alert this past week after learning of a spike in overdoses. Between Feb. 24 and March 1, health officials say there were 14 visits by Lake County residents to emergency departments due to opioid overdoses.
This spike in overdoses in Lake County has been reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
“Like many other communities throughout Illinois, Lake County continues to be impacted by the opioid overdose crisis,” said Mark Pfister, executive director for the Lake County Health Department, in a statement. “We must take steps to alleviate overdose deaths and save lives.”
In McHenry County, anyone who is struggling with substance abuse issues is urged to contact A Way Out - McHenry County at 815-347-0385 to take a substance abuse assessment.
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