2025 fatalities running 40% lower than previous year, officials attribute success to expanded Narcan distribution

Will County is experiencing a significant reduction in overdose deaths, with 2025 fatalities running 40% lower than the previous year, according to data presented to county officials June 5.

Dr. Kathleen Burke, coordinator of Will County’s substance use initiatives, reported that through May 13, the county has recorded 12 overdose deaths compared to 20 during the same period in 2024. The dramatic decrease comes as the county has dramatically expanded its naloxone distribution efforts.

“We’re in a great trend, we’re doing quite well based on our experience so far,” Burke told the Public Health & Safety Committee, while cautioning that numbers could change as the coroner updates pending toxicology reports.

The Will County Health Department’s rapid response team distributed 608 boxes of Narcan in May alone, contributing to a total of 4,436 boxes distributed in 2025 through various programs. The department has also expanded its harm reduction efforts, including specialized kits for pregnant and postpartum women struggling with substance use disorders.

Burke highlighted the success of the county’s peer recovery support program, funded through opioid settlement dollars. The program has hired two peer support specialists who provide wraparound services that complement traditional therapy. One case study involved helping a client secure housing at Marycrest in Joliet after living in a motel following her mother’s death.

“When you do that, you facilitate their success, their recovery success, their advancement in their mental health issues in a way that’s very effective,” Burke explained.

The health department continues its extensive community outreach, with May events spanning from Warren Sharpe Community Center in Joliet to Manhattan’s Touch A Truck event. The team distributed naloxone and conducted education at 18 different community events during the month.

Burke reminded committee members that June 6 is National Naloxone Awareness Day, encouraging officials to wear purple and carry Narcan to raise awareness about overdose prevention.

The success comes as the jail has implemented medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, allowing for continuity of care when detainees are released. The collaboration between the detention facility and outside agencies ensures individuals don’t experience interruptions in treatment that could lead to relapse or overdose.