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Will County reports 33% drop in overdose deaths year over year; officials flag demographic shifts and local hotspots
Summary
Will County public health staff reported a 33% decline in overdose deaths compared with the prior year, noted a 7% rise in the share of female overdose deaths, and identified specific communities where deaths increased; staff described coroner-supplied data and ongoing Narcan distribution at identified hotspots.
Will County public health staff reported a 33% decline in overdose deaths compared with the prior year and described shifting demographic patterns and localized increases in some communities.
Dr. Gaffney Burke, presenting the monthly substance misuse initiatives update, told the committee: “We had the 33 percent decline in our overdose deaths total. Very proud of that.” Burke also said the county recorded a 7% increase in the percentage of women among overdose deaths between 2023 and 2024, and a small increase in deaths among Hispanic residents alongside a small decline among African American residents.
The nut graf: While overall overdose deaths fell, staff said some municipalities experienced increases, and the county continues targeted distribution of naloxone (Narcan) to identified hotspots.
Burke highlighted changes by place: Romeoville saw what the presenter called a “big jump” in overdose deaths in 2024; larger communities such as Bolingbrook, Joliet and Crest Hill have consistently appeared among higher-count locations and did not change markedly. Burke also flagged new or concerning upticks in Naperville, Tinley Park and Orland Park in 2024.
On data sources, Burke said the death numbers come from coroner records and related certificates; a committee member sought clarification about how place of death is determined. Julie (role not specified) added that death certificates commonly include the place where a person was found deceased and list a hospital name when appropriate, which provides another avenue for location coding.
Burke described the county’s outreach approach: staff identify overdose hotspots and distribute naloxone and other resources across sites the county targets. The presenter said the effort seeks to hit “every piece of the community” and referenced a figure stated in the briefing — “624 locations over the year” — describing the county’s distribution footprint (the transcript phrasing was numeric and recorded that number in the briefing).
Ending: Committee members asked clarifying questions about data collection and coding; Burke said the county will continue to track demographic and geographic patterns and return with further updates at future meetings.
