Kane County: Six heroin deaths reported in six weeks

Kane County officials are warning of a sudden surge in fatal heroin overdoses, with six deaths reported in the past six weeks.

Twelve people have died from heroin injection so far this year, according to a public health alert issued by the offices of the sheriff, state's attorney and coroner. The increase, officials say, is indicative of trends where drug trafficking groups add new compounds to heroin.

Mixing heroin with synthetics such as fentanyl makes the drug more dangerous and deadly, State's Attorney Joe McMahon said.

His goal is to aggressively prosecute dealers while directing users toward treatment and rehabilitation, he said, but he recognizes "we cannot arrest and prosecute our way out of this opioid addiction and overdose crisis."

Sheriff Ron Hain said his office has implemented several initiatives to address the ongoing epidemic, including elevating the office's collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration to target heroin dealers and interdict the flow of drugs on the streets. He also is working to open a residential treatment center that would be available for county residents.

Additionally, Hain said, medically assisted treatment and addiction counseling services are being offered to Kane County jail inmates who are dependent on opioids.

"Our jail is the fusion center for all of our community's problems," he said in a written statement. "What we do inside our facility to support the incarcerated will hopefully have a positive impact on our citizens when they return to home."

Though total death numbers are down compared to this time last year, Coroner Rob Russell said the recent overdoses serve as a reminder that "we must continue to be vigilant throughout the year." He believes the county's collaborative efforts are key to tackling the epidemic.

Russell, Hain and McMahon are members of the health department's Kane County Opioid Task Force and are working together to establish a program called "A Way Out," which connects opioid users with treatment centers.

Anyone struggling with addiction is encouraged to contact Hain at (630) 208-2000 or Russell at (630) 232-3535 for treatment referrals.