An urgent threat for music festivalgoers

Lollapalooza, Chicago’s famed annual four-day music festival, is expected to bring more 155,000 music lovers to our city to experience 170-plus artists from around the world and along with it a grim reminder of the growing threat posed by illicit fentanyl. Past Lollapaloozas include tragic stories of overdoses, as do dozens of similar events nationwide.

This year, with a surge of pressed pills containing lethal doses of illicit fentanyl, it’s critical to understand the dangers, know overdose signs and when to take action. Experts from the NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), warn that illicit pills not only contain lethal doses of fentanyl, but pressed pills are often indistinguishable from legitimate prescriptions. Sadly, many users are unaware that their drugs contain fentanyl, significantly increasing the risk of accidental overdose and unfortunately, death. But there is hope — knowing the signs of an overdose can save lives.

Fentanyl overdose signs requiring immediate action include:

• Difficulty breathing — Shallow, labored, or stopped breathing

• Choking sounds — Gurgling noises or a “death rattle”

• Loss of consciousness — Inability to respond or wake up

• Extreme fatigue — An unusual level of drowsiness or trouble staying awake

• Discolored skin — Bluish lips or fingernails signal insufficient oxygen.

• Confusion or dizziness — Overdose can cause altered mental states, confusion and difficulty walking.

• Pinpoint pupils — Tiny pupils

If you suspect someone is overdosing, call 911 immediately and administer Narcan (Naloxone) if available.

As an addiction treatment expert, I urge everyone to educate themselves about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit pills. We must spread awareness and ensure that our communities are equipped to recognize and respond to overdoses. By staying informed and vigilant, we can help prevent more senseless deaths and protect our loved ones. Do not take anything if you do not know the contents, be safe.

Karen Wolownik Albert

St. Charles