3 Fentanyl Overdose Deaths In Lockport Recorded In 2019

LOCKPORT, IL — In 2018, Will County had 82 heroin deaths. During the first five months of 2019, there have been 32 heroin/fentanyl deaths across the county. Statistics continue to show an increase in opioid-related deaths across the state and country.

In 2018, Lockport and Lockport Township had five heroin-related deaths. As of May 14, Lockport has had three heroin/fentanyl overdose deaths. According to the Will County Coroner's Office, the overdose deaths were:

• Feb. 16, 2019; 38-year-old white male. Cause of death was fentanyl intoxication.
• March 7, 2019; 26-year-old white male. Cause of death was acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl intoxication.
• April 7, 2019; 34-year-old white female. Cause of death was fentanyl, cocaine and xylazine intoxication.

In November, the Will County Sheriff's Office released a press release about ongoing efforts in fighting the heroin epidemic.
"The growing heroin and opioid epidemic in Will County must be tackled head-on. Overdoses, deaths, and property crimes have increased drastically in recent years right here in Will," Reilly's press release stated. "These drugs were nearly nonexistent in our communities ten years ago but are now being found everywhere, including our high schools, on a regular basis. My administration will aggressively target the drug dealers who victimize users and cause the devastating loss of loved ones due to overdose deaths."

The Will County Coroner's Office keeps an updated list of 2019 overdose and overdose death statistics.