Opioid-Related Deaths Increased In 2018 In DuPage County

DUPAGE COUNTY, IL — Opioid related deaths were at an all-time high in DuPage County in 2018, according to information released from DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen. Jorgenson released his evaluation on Jan. 17, which showed a 3 percent increase in total deaths from opioids from 2017 to 2018. There was also a 13 percent increase in total deaths from illegal drugs from 2017 to 2018.

"The opioid epidemic continues to escalate and destroy the lives of too many DuPage County residents," Dr. Jorgensen said in a release. "The influx of potent synthetic opiates including fentanyl has increased significantly, and now represents a higher percentage of illicit drug usage and cause of death than heroin alone. I and my office remain committed to continue our efforts to fight against this plague through education, support of drug treatment and the DuPage County Narcan Program."

The evaluation of 2018 deaths include: 17 from heroin alone, 34 from a heroin/fentanyl mixture, 30 from fentanyl alone and 17 from opioid-based prescription medications. To compare, in 2017, 23 deaths were from heroin alone, 32 from a heroin/fentanyl mixture, 17 from fentanyl alone and 23 from opiod-based prescription medications.

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