A local coalition issued a warning about multiple recent overdoses in McHenry County where the user did not realize the substance they took was laced with what authorities believe was fentanyl.
The McHenry County Substance Abuse Coalition issued an alert Friday morning after being notified about multiple uses of naloxone to reverse overdoses in the 24 hours prior to the alert.
“While naloxone is used often in our community these uses are significant because the individuals believed they were using substances that were NOT opioids, heroin or prescription pills,” the coalition said in a statement.
Laura Crain, the program coordinator for McHenry County Substance Abuse Coalition, said authorities suspect the substances were laced with fentanyl but official testing has not taken place to verify.
“We are assuming because the individuals were revived with Narcan,” Crain said. Most overdose deaths in McHenry County are due to fentanyl.
She said that there have been many reports of people using different street substances – not believing they are using an opioid of any sort – and needing naloxone.
“Officers throughout the county have found fentanyl in everything throughout this year: cannabis, cocaine, meth, faux prescription pills, etc. It is why we are staying with the messaging that if you do not purchase from a pharmacist or cannabis dispensary you should be cautious,” Crain said.
Those who plan on purchasing any drug that is not from a pharmacy or cannabis dispensary should plan to have naloxone and fentanyl test strips available, the coalition said.
Those who want free naloxone and fentanyl test strips can contact Arlington Heights-based organization Live4Lali by calling or texting 224-297-4393.