7 deaths in Cook County in 2026 linked to potent synthetic opioid cychlorphine
A drug known to be 10 times more potent than fentanyl has been linked to seven deaths this year in Cook County.
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A drug known to be 10 times more potent than fentanyl has been linked to seven deaths this year in Cook County.
In a major turnaround in the opioid crisis, overdose deaths are falling across Chicago and Cook County.
Far more Americans use illegal opioids like fentanyl than previously estimated, a new study found. It was previously thought less than 1% of Americans used illegal opioids; the new survey of adults found that number is above 11%,
A leaked budget shows the Trump administration plans to make major cuts to federal programs that combat substance abuse and opioid overdoses, as well as substance abuse treatment programs.
The U.S. Department of Justice has canceled more than 250 grants being used to address issues like opioid abuse, hate crime and gun violence.
Dr. Julie Nowinski Konchak, an addiction medicine physician with Cook County Health, joins Marie Saavedra to talk about what is making the difference in reducing opioid deaths.
The Pace Bus Company revealed new vending machines at its bus terminal in the southwest suburbs to help fight the opioid crisis.
Lawmakers applauded federal efforts to crack down on one of the most common opioids, illegal fentanyl.
More people die from opioid overdoses in Cook County than shootings and car accidents combined. County and community leaders hope to raise awareness about the issue.
This comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports an overall decrease in opioid overdose deaths across the country for the first time since 2019.
The worry and fear is the number of overdoses will continue to increase – as has happened in Chicago in the past summer months. CBS 2's Darius Johnson reports.
The proposed law change comes after a CBS 2 story on one suburban woman's pills being taken by a stranger from her local CVS pharmacy.
Her story reveals the danger of such medication falling into the wrong hands amid a national opioid epidemic.
There is no requirement to show a photo ID in Illinois when it comes to picking up some highly addictive narcotics from pharmacies. Doris Jones tells CBS 2's Marie Saavedra she fears her pills are in the wrong hands.
So far, 90% of the opioid deaths in 2023 have involved fentanyl, a painkiller 50 times more powerful than heroin.
There are more opioid deaths in Cook County than murders, and overdoses are skyrocketing too.
There are more opioid deaths in Cook County than murders, and overdoses are skyrocketing too. Many of them happen outside 24-hour gas stations. Thus, the plan is to get the antidote to places where it is needed most. CBS 2's Jermont Terry reports.
Cook County commissioners have proposed a new resolution to increase treatment for opioid addiction.
"Anything that is life-saving should be accessible to everybody."
Some measures include adding more Narcan dispensers and overdose prevention sites.
With so many Americans addicted to opioids, Narcan is no match for the epidemic that is hitting a grim new milestone around Chicago.
The mobile unit will distribute first aid kits and Narcan, the FDA-approved medication to reverse opioid overdose.
The majority of the state's money will go to the Illinois remediation fund to be used for rehabilitation and recovery centers throughout the state.
Doctors said they worry about cost, especially if over-the-counter availability means fewer insurance companies are willing to cover the price.
Cook County is on track to break a record that no one wanted – 2022 will likely be the worst year on record for opioid overdose deaths.
