South Cook News

Mayor Keith Pekau of Orland Park announced that Cook County will allocate $2.6 million to address the opioid epidemic. The problem of opioid addiction has become increasingly worse over the last few years. 

"Opioid overdoses in Cook County have spiked over the last few years," Pekau said. "From 2018 to 2020, there were 4,283 opioid-related deaths in Cook County with nearly 82 percent of those deaths from June 6 through December 23, 2020 showing the presence of fentanyl in their systems. In 2021, opioid-related deaths surpassed 1,900 cases, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. In Orland Park, our police department has been doing their part to curb this epidemic. We have seen drug-related arrests increase 25% over the past 5 years and implemented the Mobile Response Unit. Real leaders don’t stand by while crime is on the rise and our kids are at risk. I took it on as Mayor. I am going to Congress to do the same."

In 2020, 1,840 people died from opioid overdose in Cook County. In 2021, that number rose to over 2,100. This represents a 29% increase, and this problem also applies to the national level. 

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said, “Opioid addiction and deaths have permeated all segments of our society. And just as this problem is extremely complex and multifaceted, so must be our approach to solving it.”

To help mitigate the problem of opioid addiction and deaths, the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded Cook County with a $2.6 million grant. The grant will provide funding to Project REACCH-OUT: Rapid Engagement and Access at Cook County Health for Opioid Use Treatment.

Israel Rocha Jr., CEO of Cook County Health, said, "The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a great deal of stress and isolation for many people, exacerbating mental health challenges and substance use disorders. We are committed to expanding access to substance use treatment, providing the care people need where and when they need it. This grant from SAMHSA will assist our dedicated team of health care providers to bring these much-needed services to some of the most vulnerable communities in Cook County."

One of the main culprits of this epidemic is fentanyl. In 2021, US Customs and Border Patrol seized over 10,000 pounds of this dangerous drug at the border. The issue has been reported on extensively by investigative journalist Sara Carter, who reported in January of 2021 that the Texas Department of Public Safety facility handled more than $10 million in narcotic contraband.