Opioid Epidemic

One of Chicago's hardest hit areas for overdoses is on the West Side.

The state of Illinois will receive $760 million as part of a settlement with three pharmaceutical distributors and one manufacturer of opioids.

“Judge O’Connell’s sentence today sends a message of deterrence that if you are found guilty of supplying illegal drugs that result in the death of another person, you will face a significant amount of time behind bars, as Mr. Roser learned today,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said.

The city of Chicago is taking steps to help curb the opioid epidemic.

A pharmacy expert said the quantities and combinations of controlled substance medications dispensed to the patients were not for legitimate purposes, and could have caused respiratory failure and death.

In a FOX 32 Special Report, we take a look at a new device that’s in the works to cut down on fatal drug overdoses. “Within four minutes, you could be brain-dead.”

Fentanyl overdoses and deaths continue to surge nationwide, including in Illinois.

'SENSELESS LOSS': An Addison woman died after Courvorsier Thomas allegedly supplied her with a fentanyl/fluorofentanyl mixture.

"If you just want to know what someone with an addiction looks like, all you have to do is look in the mirror because it can be any one of us," said Dr. Jasmin.