SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Opioids have been involved in over 70% of deadly drug overdoses in Illinois. Several state laws taking effect January 1 could help address the opioid crisis.
Pharmacists, nurses and physician assistants are the only people currently authorized to use overdose prevention equipment. However, a law sponsored by Sen. Paul Faraci (D-Champaign) will allow trained overdose responders enrolled in the Illinois Department of Human Services Drug Overdose Prevention Program to use fentanyl testing strips to help people in need.
"Champaign Urbana Health District is one of these organizations," Faraci said. "These testing strips are a crucial tool for detecting fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that is often mixed into other drugs without users' knowledge."
Sen. Paul Faraci (D-Champaign) speaks during a press conference about the opioid overdose crisis on May 4, 2023.
A separate law will require all high school students to learn about the dangers of fentanyl during their health courses. Students will learn how to detect fentanyl in drugs and ways to save someone from a fentanyl overdose. Health teachers will also be required to explain how drugs can be laced with fentanyl and the side effects of using it.
"But our work to address this crisis is not over," said Sen. Laura Ellman (D-Naperville). "Educating people of all ages on the dangers of potential overdose is an effective way to help save lives and combat overdoses long-term."
Another bipartisan law will allow pharmacists and retail stores to sell fentanyl test strips over the counter. County health departments will also be able to distribute the test strips to the public for free.
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported more than 3,717 drug overdoses involving fentanyl during 2021. IDPH said that is equivalent to losing 10 Illinoisans each day.
House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) said her plan could be a great first step to address the fentanyl epidemic.
"Obviously, we would like to address the folks stopping putting fentanyl into commonly-used drugs," McCombie said. "But this is where we are today, unfortunately."
All three proposals passed out of the House and Senate unanimously during the spring session.
"I lost a cousin to heroine laced with fentanyl," said Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore). "So, thank you for doing more to protect people in our society."
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