For immediate release: September 3, 2025
Media Contact: Efrat Dallal Stein – [email protected]
Cook County Officials Encourage All Residents to Get Naloxone to Stop an Overdose and Save a Life
Cook County Department of Public Health partners with suburban organizations and businesses to distribute free naloxone.
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CICERO, IL – Cook County officials held a press conference at Corazón Community Services today to announce the launch of the Get Naloxone campaign to educate suburban Cook County residents about naloxone, a safe, easy-to-use medication that can stop opioid overdoses and save lives.
While opioid-involved overdoses have been trending down nationally and in Illinois, health officials are concerned about overdose numbers still being high among African American and Latinx residents. Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) launched the Get Naloxone campaign to educate the public about naloxone – what it is, how to use it and where to get it for free in suburban Cook County. The campaign prioritizes areas with the highest numbers of overdose deaths.
The campaign, which is running through the end of October, features digital marketing, billboards and community posters in English and Spanish across suburban Cook County that teach people how to use naloxone and directs them to free distribution sites. More than 30 local businesses and community organizations now host over 40 naloxone boxes in easy-to-see locations for anyone to access. There are a variety of box options for businesses to choose from, including: vending machines and countertop, newspaper-style and wall-mounted boxes. Each box carries the simple instruction “Lay, Spray, Stay,” and a QR code linking to a short video demonstration.
Naloxone is a safe medication that reverses an opioid-involved overdose. When somebody has too many opioids in their system, their breathing can slow down to the point of stopping, which can cause them to die from lack of oxygen. Naloxone removes opioids from the receptors in the brain that control breathing and allows the person to start breathing again.
“It’s important to recognize that people of all ages, races, and economic positions can experience substance use disorder,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “However, disinvested communities are especially vulnerable due to a lack of resources. Having naloxone in every community is essential to saving lives, no matter what ZIP code you live in.”
“From illicit drugs to prescription pain medication, any kind of opioid can put someone at risk of an overdose. That’s why naloxone should be part of every person’s emergency kit. Receiving naloxone quickly can mean the difference between life and death for someone experiencing an overdose.” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, Chief Executive Officer of Cook County Health.
Naloxone is considered a harm-reduction tool, helping to save the lives of individuals with substance use disorder, so they may have the opportunity to seek treatment.
CCDPH Chief Operating Officer Dr. Kiran Joshi said, “It’s important people know what naloxone is, how to use it, and where to get it free in suburban Cook County. We all know to “stop, drop and roll” if we see fire. Now we want people to know to “lay, spray and stay” if they see an overdose.”
Opioid-involved overdoses are declining both nationally and in Illinois, thanks to a broad array of public health strategies. In suburban Cook County, the health department sees year-to-year fluctuations, but the overall trend shows sustained escalation over the decade between 2013 and 2023, suggesting a persistent and intensifying public health crisis. Opioid-involved deaths in suburban Cook County nearly doubled, rising sharply from 251 in 2013 to 456 in 2023. They peaked in 2022, at 686 deaths. There were 276 deaths in 2024, according to preliminary data from the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
CCDPH is also releasing a data dashboard on opioid-related overdoses in suburban Cook County. The dashboard includes data on race/ethnicity, sex, and gender differences for deaths and hospital visits. Visit the opioid dashboard here.
With community partners, CCDPH has distributed nearly 41,000 naloxone kits since 2020. At least 180 naloxone doses distributed by CCDPH have been used in overdose events. In addition, close to 16,000 naloxone training sessions have been held, and community partners have also distributed 52,000 safer-use supplies, such as fentanyl testing strips.
CCDPH has built a comprehensive, prevention-based approach to substance use and mental illness over the past six years, in response to a rapid rise in opioid overdose deaths and calls from the community for more behavioral health resources. CCDPH has invested $21.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding in 31 community organizations to expand prevention, treatment, and harm-reduction services in suburban Cook County. CCDPH provides free naloxone and training on how to recognize and respond to an opioid-involved overdose. Requests can be made online at this link .
To learn more about the campaign visit GetNaloxoneCookCounty.com
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