Kane Co. Sees Surge in Heroin Overdose Deaths

KANE COUNTY, IL — Authorities In Kane County say there has been a surge in heroin overdose deaths in recent weeks. In the last six weeks, six people have died after injecting heroin, which compares to 12 total deaths since the beginning of 2019, according to a public health alert issued last week by the Kane County Sheriff’s Office.

“This surge is indicative of trends where new compounds are added to heroin by trafficking groups,” according to the public health alert.

Kane County Sheriff Ronald Hain has directed his investigations staff to work with the Drug Enforcement Administration through Kane County’s Heroin Initiative Task Force to “relentlessly target heroin dealers and those responsible for the overdose deaths.” Hain has also implemented medically assisted treatment for the opioid dependent, coupled with addiction counseling, within the county jail as a means to rehabilitate the addicted population.

“Our jail is the fusion center for all of our community’s problems,” he said. “What we do inside our facility to support the incarcerated will hopefully have a positive impact on our citizens when they return to home.”

Hain is also working toward opening a residential treatment center housed within the sheriff’s office that would be open to the Kane County population.

Kane County Coroner Rob Russell said the number of deaths appears to be down so far this year compared to last year at this time.

“My sincere hope is that the rate of death continues to fall,” Russell said. “Collaboration is the key and we continue to do it at optimal levels. This sudden increase the past 6 weeks is a reminder that we must continue to be vigilant throughout the year.”

Meanwhile, Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said his “office will continue to aggressively prosecute heroin dealers, and we will direct users toward treatment and rehabilitation.”

“I recognize that we cannot arrest and prosecute our way out of this opioid addiction and overdose crisis. Heroin is a horrible drug that becomes more dangerous and deadly when it is mixed with synthetics like fentanyl,” he said. “I hope people who are using heroin or opioid products will seek treatment and counseling on their own, before it becomes an addiction.”

Hain, McMahon and Russell are all members of Kane County’s Opioid Task Force, which is led by the Kane County Health Department. They continue to collaborate in the establishment of “A Way Out” program, which provides law enforcement-led connections to treatment centers for the opioid addicted, according to the public health alert.

The program will be in full operation soon, but both Hain and Russell urge anyone struggling with addiction to reach out to them now for treatment referral. Hain can be reached at (630) 208-2000 and Russell can be reached at (630) 232-3535.