Doctor says ‘addiction does not discriminate’ when asked about fentanyl usage in Winnebago County

WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Ill. (WTVO) — Fentanyl usage has become a major problem around the county. The opioid overdose deaths in the last year have risen to 48 per 100,000 per capita in Winnebago.

Dr. Raymond Garcia, the Chief Medical Officer at Rosecrance, said fentanyl usage is a problem because it is cheap, easily accessible and highly addictive.

“Even if you’re not an opioid user, if it’s in the substance that you’re using that you think that’s all you’re getting. Let’s say it was laced in tranquilizers that you’re using,” said Dr. Garcia. “You’re going to become more highly addictive to that substance because of that extra fentanyl that’s in there.”

The number of patients at Rosecrance has increased over the past few years and a lot of them are with their friends and family. Garcia said addiction does not come alone and will affect others around them.

“Addiction does not discriminate. It’s not just the, you know, person experiencing homelessness. It’s not just the person that’s walking the streets. It could be your neighbor,” said Garcia. “There are all levels of society being affected. When it affects a person. It doesn’t just affect that person affects the entire community.”

County Coroner Jennifer Muraski said overdoses are the leading cause of accidental deaths in the area but there are ways to lower the number.

“Narcan is available in so many places. It’s right here in the courthouse. All first responders carry it here at the coroner’s office. We are licensed to distribute it. So it’s not hard to get if somebody needs it or you think somebody needs it, I think you should have it,” said Muraski. “In fact, I think everyone should have Narcan with them at all times. You never know. You never know when it might be needed and it’s available.”

Dr. Garcia said the community needs to educate themselves and encourage those struggling with addiction to seek available resources and use them.

“There should be no shame in seeking treatment for it, just like you wouldn’t be ashamed of seeking treatment for diabetes and then talk to somebody,” said Garcia. “Talk to whoever it is that you feel comfortable talking to about it and ask them to help you get help. Sometimes we just need that extra hand to help bring us along to reach out and get help.”

The Coroner’s Office has hired a full-time community care coordinator to work with families that experienced loss due to accidental overdose.

“From January 1st of 2022 to the end of July this year we’re 65.5% down, so it’s working, it’s definitely working,” said Muraski.

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