How Chicago succeeded in reducing drug overdose deaths

"Cook county, Illinois where Chicago is located has seen the largest reduction in overdose deaths since the national peak of the crisis in 2023, by 37%, according to an exclusive Guardian analysis. Chicago has one of the most robust drug supply surveillance and overdose prevention response systems in the nation. Jenny Hua, medical director for the Chicago department of public health, hesitated to take full credit for the progress, explaining that many factors influencing overdose deaths are beyond any one health department's control."

"Changes to the drug supply are also affecting regions differently. Hua said that in order to respond to the crisis, the city has adopted a multifactorial approach to a multifactorial problem. Even libraries have become part of the city's arsenal in the fight against drug overdose deaths. Chicagoans can get free drug test strips at the city's public libraries as well as naloxone nasal spray, which can reverse an opioid-induced overdose."

"Since 2023, Chicago has rapidly expanded its overdose surveillance, in part with funds from the Centers for Disease Control's overdose data to action program. According to Hua, this helped the department to build on the foundation already established by local organizations, such as the Chicago Recovery Alliance, which has provided sophisticated drug checking services for years. Credit where credit is due, Hua said."

Among US counties containing the nation's 10 largest cities, Cook County has recorded the largest reduction in overdose deaths since the 2023 national peak, declining 37%. Chicago operates one of the most robust drug supply surveillance and overdose prevention response systems in the country. Many factors influencing overdose deaths extend beyond any single health department, but concentration of people and resources enables more coordinated responses in large cities. Drug-supply changes affect regions differently, prompting a multifactorial municipal approach. Public libraries distribute free drug test strips and naloxone nasal spray and receive education so librarians can serve as community information sources. Expanded surveillance has been supported in part by CDC overdose data-to-action funding and builds on grassroots drug-checking services such as the Chicago Recovery Alliance.

Read at www.theguardian.com