Lake County receives another donation of anti-opiod drug

A Virginia-based pharmaceutical company announced Tuesday it was going to donate an around 3,500 auto-injectors of naloxone, the anti-overdose drug that Lake County officials credit for saving 245 lives since Christmas Day 2014.

Kaleo has already donated more than 10,000 auto-injectors to Lake County since 2014, the company's vice president of corporate affairs Mark Herzog said at a news conference hosted by the Lake County Health Department Tuesday.

Herzog said this time the donated drugs are five times more powerful than before.

"This is important obviously because we've seen the rise of fentanyl and these powerful opioids that have caused so many deaths," Herzog said.

Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said last year Lake County first responders armed with the auto-injectors saved 92 lives.

"Lives are being saved, people are being given additional chances to get off these powerful drugs," Curran said.

The donated anti-opiod drugs are a key part of the county's overall efforts to fight the heroin epidemic.

Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor said last year 63 people in Lake County died of a drug overdose, a number which is far too high and they are trying hard to fix. Lawlor said they are working to combat the epidemic in other ways like increasing their capacity to treat those with substance issues, or creating more supportive housing or adding psychiatrists to Lake County health care system.

"Give these individuals the support they need to never need an injection of naloxone again," Lawlor said.

Lake County State's Attorney Mike Nerheim said they wouldn't be where they are without the donations provided by Kaleo.

"It seems like not enough just to say thank you but I hope you know how much we really appreciate what you've done here for us," Nerheim said.

Outside of Lake County, Herzog said his company has donated more than 300,000 auto-injectors and has been credited with saving more than 5,000 lives.