During the subsequent investigation, Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives learned those who overdosed likely ingested several different drugs. The investigation determined there was cannabis, acid, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and prescription pills located in the vicinity of those who overdosed.
The overdose victims consisted of four men and a woman, all between the ages of 18-20. Four of the five individuals have been treated and released from the hospital. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident remains ongoing.
Sheriff Mark Curran said, “Two more lives were saved because of the sheriff’s deputies who arrived on scene and quickly administered Naloxone. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has saved the lives of 16 people suffering from opioid overdose.”
Undersheriff Ray Rose said, “While we are grateful all of these young lives were saved, we have to continue working toward treatment after Naloxone is administered. Law enforcement, mental health advocates, and the community must continue moving forward to reduce the repetition of drug abuse. It is not enough to prevent death by opioid overdose without looking into and intervening at the root of the problem.”
Lake County is leading the way at working to provide education and resources to those who are addicted. Approximately 18 percent of the inmates at the Lake County Jail are estimated to be suffering from addiction or mental health issues. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has personnel in the jail who work with local agencies and community based groups in an effort to provide referrals to inmates suffering from mental health issues or addiction, following their release from jail.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has begun to pave the road for all employees to be trained in Crisis Intervention. Beginning in 2016, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the College of Lake County and North East Multi-Regional Training Unit #3 (NEMRT) has coordinated and hosted 40 Hour Crisis Intervention Team Program classes which have been certified through the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies and other Lake County law enforcement officers are attending this training to aid in law enforcement’s response to those in crisis, which often times involved someone substance addicted.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has trained 284 sheriff’s employees in the use and administration of Naloxone. The Lake County Health Department trains Lake County law-enforcement on the use and deployment of Naloxone utilizing an Evzio auto-injector. The auto-injectors are available to Lake County law enforcement through a donation the Lake County Health Department received from a Virginia-based pharmaceutical company.