The opioid epidemic has had a devastating effect in the United States which has had a significant negative impact on medical providers and treatment efforts. The majority of drug overdose death involves the use of opioids. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), opioid overdose deaths remain a leading cause of injury-related death in the United States. Deaths involving synthetic opioids (largely illicitly made fentanyl) and stimulants (such as cocaine, and methamphetamine) have increased in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated  the opioid epidemic.

In the United States, the number of drug overdose deaths increased by nearly 30% from 2019 to 2020 and has quintupled since 1999. Nearly 75% of the 91,799 drug overdose deaths in 2020 involved an opioid.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitalizations of Evanston residents due to opioid use has continued to increase as shown below.

What are Opioids?

Opioids are a class of drugs that includes heroin, prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone and hydrocodone (i.e., Oxycontin® , Percocet® , Vicodin®), and dangerous synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, carfentanil, and other analogues. Opioids work in the brain to reduce pain and can also produce feelings of relaxation and euphoria.

Prescription opioids are important pain medications that can provide relief for acute or chronic pain. Unfortunately, they can also be prescribed inappropriately and misused. Misuse of prescription opioids increases the risk of developing opioid use disorder (OUD) and may lead to overdose.

Please visit the Illinois Department of Public Health website for more information as well as information on Prevention and Harm Reduction.

Treatment and Recovery

Illinois has a 24-hour helpline devoted to connecting individuals to treatment for opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders. If you need help for yourself, or on behalf of a loved one, call 1-833-2FINDHELP

Naloxone

Evanston Health and Human Services has partnered with the Library and the Park and Recreation Department in launching an initiative aimed at preventing deaths and hospitalizations caused by opioid usage and overdoses.

Five (5) emergency overdose boxes have been installed in easily accessible and public facing locations in Evanston. Each box consists of several kits containing two doses of Naloxone nasal spray and instructions on how to administer the potentially life-saving medication. Naloxone is free and designed to block the effects of an opioid overdose.

The locations are as follows:

Individuals may also complete this HIPAA protected survey to schedule a time to pick up Naloxone at the Civic Center.

Additional Evanston Locations to Receive Naloxone

How is Evanston Combatting the Opioid Epidemic?

• Distributing Narcan to organizations and individuals in need.
• Educating and providing resources for prevention, treatment and recovery.
• Establishing access to testing for infectious diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C which can result from intravenous opioid use.
• Expanding training for first responders, outreach teams and community support groups 
• Engage non=profits and faith communities as a system to support outreach

If you have any questions or inquires, please email health@cityofevanston.org or call 847-448-4311