#TestIt Alert: Continued reports of fatal overdoses from cocaine adulterated with (likely) fentanyl in Chicago, IL

By: Rachel Clark, Programs & Communications Coordinator In early August, we released an alert notifying the public of fentanyl’s increasing prevalence as a potentially deadly adulterant in cocaine. As September quickly approaches, we have received new reports of a huge spike in overdoses in Melrose Park, IL - a suburb outside of Chicago - resulting in one death and multiple hospitalizations. Patients reported exclusively ingesting cocaine. Overdoses were successfully reversed by administrations of naloxone (Narcan), and displayed symptoms consistent with opioid overdose. While it is not certain which opioid caused these overdoses, fentanyl is the most likely suspect.  This trend of...