Media Contact:
McHenry County Department of Health
Nick Kubiak, Community Information Coordinator
Office: (815) 334-4456
[VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL DISPONIBLE AQUÍ]
Increase in Suspected Overdose Deaths Reported in McHenry County
MCHENRY COUNTY, IL - The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) is informing McHenry County residents of an increase in suspected overdose deaths. Based on provisional data from the McHenry County Coroner’s Office, there have been 16 suspected overdose deaths throughout the months of September and October, which is a significant increase from previous months.
While these deaths are currently suspected and not confirmed as opioid-related, the majority of McHenry County's overdose fatalities involve opioids, often with fentanyl. Fentanyl is a potent and highly lethal synthetic opioid and continues to be found in various illicit drugs in the county. Fentanyl can be found in various counterfeit pills, including those sold as 'legitimate prescription medications' obtained unlawfully.
The MCDH and its partners want residents to remain safe and ensure they have the supplies they need. Fentanyl test strips, used to detect fentanyl in all types of drugs, can help prevent an overdose, while naloxone nasal spray can help reverse an overdose. The following locations have fentanyl test strips and naloxone nasal spray available for free:
McHenry County Department of Health: Supplies are available for walk-ins during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8am to 4:30pm) at the Woodstock location (2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Building A) and the Crystal Lake location (100 N. Virginia Street). No identification is required. For more information, please call (815) 334-4500. Supplies are also available for free at the MCDH’s 4 naloxone and fentanyl test strip vending machines, located at McHenry County College (8900 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake – on-campus location: cafeteria), The Other Side Café and Sober Bar (135 Beardsley Street, Crystal Lake), Community Health Partnership Clinic (62 N Ayer Street, Harvard), and Youth and Family Center of McHenry County (1011 Green Street, McHenry). The MCDH will also be providing education and naloxone at the VAC’s Veterans Wellness Fair at the McHenry County Administration Building in Woodstock on Monday, November 6 from 3pm to 7pm, and at the Wonder Lake Neighbors Food Pantry on Wednesday, November 8 from 10am to 12pm.
Live4Lali: Supplies for local delivery are available by visiting bit.ly/l4lsupplies or by calling or texting (224) 297-4393. Live4Lali will be providing naloxone and training at the Cary Public Library on Monday, November 6 from 6pm to 7pm, The Other Side Café & Sober Bar in Crystal Lake on Wednesday, November 8 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, the Woodstock Public Library on Saturday, November 11 from 1pm to 2pm, and the Algonquin Area Public Library (Harnish) on Wednesday, November 15 from 7pm to 8pm. All trainings are free and open to the public.
Warp Corps: Supplies are available seven days a week for walk-ins from 10am to 6pm at 114 N. Benton Street in Woodstock. For more information, please call (815) 985-6256.
The Break Crystal Lake Teen Center: Please call (815) 575-9358 to inquire about available supplies.
The Other Side Café & Sober Bar: Supplies are available Monday-Thursday from 8am – 9pm, as well as Friday and Saturday from 8am – 10pm, at 135 Beardsley Street in Crystal Lake. For more information, please call (799) 220-8943.
A Way Out – McHenry County offers substance use assessment daily from 8am to 11pm to anyone in McHenry County seeking recovery. A Way Out accommodates those without insurance and works with providers that accept several different insurance plans. For support and navigation to treatment, please visit their website, call (815) 347-0385, or email INFO@NDARS.ORG.
