DuPage County overdose deaths decline for first time in 10 years, coroner says

DUPAGE COUNTY (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - A drop in the number of drug overdose deaths in DuPage County last year has their coroner cautiously optimistic.

Dr. Richard Jorgensen said the 114 deaths reported in 2023 were down from 150 in 2022. He also said the number of overdose deaths among people who tested positive for fentanyl fell from 106 in 2022 to 80 in 2023.

Jorgensen noted the decline reverses several years of increases in DuPage County.

Even so, the coroner said he’s not ready to declare victory because he believes the number of overdose deaths in DuPage County remains too high.

“If we had 114 gun-related deaths in DuPage County that would be a different headline than this headline…We still need to get these down, 114 is still a huge amount,” Jorgensen said.

Jorgensen said there are several reasons for the decline in drug overdose deaths in DuPage County last year. He said they include expanded outreach to warn people of the dangers of drug abuse as well as greater access to Narcan, which can reverse opioid overdoses.

Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok