Deaths from opioid overdoses in Illinois are on the decline in 2024, showing a reversal after the record-high numbers seen in 2022. 

Drug prevention experts point to the increased availability of Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal drug now available over the counter, as a reason for the drop.

“Narcan is now much easier for people to access,” C-U Public Health District Program Coordinator Joe Trotter said in an interview. “Before, it required going through a specialty program. Now, you can buy it over the counter.”

Data on drug overdose deaths are made available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. The data from 2015 to 2022 showed opioid overdose deaths steadily increased, more than doubling from 1,419 to 3,213. In 2023, deaths dropped nearly 10% to 2,907. 

In the first four months of 2024, the most recent data available in the data as of Oct. 1, data indicated the numbers may continue to fall.

In the event of a drug overdose, airflow to the brain is limited and the user loses control of their body. The lips can turn blue and loss of air can lead to unconsciousness. If not treated immediately, prolonged unconsciousness can lead to death. 

The Food and Drug Administration made Narcan available in pharmacies without a prescription on March 29, 2023. Narcan, the brand product that delivers the drug naloxone, is a nasal spray that can now be purchased over the counter at drug stores, convenience stores, grocery stores, gas stations, and online retailers.

Trotter said the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased drug use, with opioid-related overdose deaths in Illinois topping 3,200 in 2022 according to the CDC, while access to treatment and prevention services was limited. In 2023, opioid-related overdose deaths fell over 9% to 2,907.

“Awareness around overdoses has improved. We’re seeing more people use Narcan, not just in Champaign, but all over Illinois,” Trotter said. “It’s available to anyone, and that’s made a big difference.”

Illinois also distributes testing strips to help people identify fentanyl in drugs. According to health officials, these services enable users to use drugs as safely as they can.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid much stronger than heroin, has been a major contributor to the rise in overdose deaths in recent years. Its lightweight nature and ease of manufacturing make it a popular choice for drug producers, who reap greater profits compared to drugs like heroin.

In 2022, synthetic opioid overdose deaths dramatically increased compared with ten years earlier, per Illinois Department of Public Health data. Heroin overdose deaths decreased about 10% in the same period.

Trotter explained that while fentanyl’s strength delivers a quick high, its short duration causes people to use more frequently, raising overdose risks. 

“Heroin would last six to eight hours; fentanyl only lasts two to three,” he said.

The federal government found that, in Mexico, the Sinaloa Cartel controls the acquisition of chemicals and produces illicit fentanyl in labs hidden in the mountains of Sinaloa. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment report said Sinaloa Cartel-controlled laboratories are responsible for introducing fentanyl in fake trademarked pills to the U.S. market.

Trotter said Black adults over 40 are the most affected demographic in Champaign County. He said people in this demographic are not necessarily using drugs more often than other ages and ethnicities, but are dying at a higher rate.

He stressed that the stigma around drug use continues to be a barrier. 

“We need to shift how we view drug dependency. It’s not a moral failing — it’s a chemical dependency, like other medical conditions,” Trotter said.

Narcan use has become more community-focused, with local education efforts showing people how to use the life-saving drug on others during emergencies. 

“Narcan isn’t just for you; it’s for your community,” Trotter said.

A misconception about opioid use is that Narcan can be used by a user on themselves, when in reality an overdose requires someone standing by to assist with the application of the nasal spray. Safe injection sites provide a place where users are not alone and can be helped in the event of an overdose.

While overdose deaths are declining, with just 2,565 deaths over the 12 months from April 2023 to April 2024 compared with 3,182 the year before, it doesn’t mean that drug use is necessarily decreasing, Trotter said.

“Normalizing safe drug use practices and supporting people will save lives,” Trotter said.

Narcan, the name-brand device that dispenses naloxone, is available for just under $50 for a pack of two at pharmacies like Walgreens. Insurance can cover costs in many cases with buyers only needing to provide a copay. Some states and organizations also offer Narcan for free or at reduced prices through community programs, pharmacies, or public health departments.