CHICAGO (CBS) – Chicago public health officials are urging those attending Lollapalooza this weekend to be cautious and test their medications for fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid.
The Chicago Department of Public Health posted a warning on its social media accounts Lollapalooza believe that fentanyl can easily cause an overdose. Fentanyl can be found in cocaine, MDMA and other drugs, not just heroin. The department also advised the public not to self-medicate.
Commissioner of CDPH Dr. Allison Arwady addressed the issue at a press conference Wednesday.
“We regularly see, and have for years, young people who frequently attend festivals feel very free and often experiment, in some cases, with illegal substances,” Arwady said. “The problem is that so many of those illegal substances are now tied to fentanyl.”
She said fentanyl can be especially dangerous for those who don’t routinely use opioids.
Arwady added that CDPH has already distributed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl test strips that can detect fentanyl in another substance.
She said that every year during the Lollapalooza festival, the city sees a “surge” in people, especially young people, coming to emergency departments due to overdoses.
“Every year we see young people end up in the hospital because they experimented at a time when we really want people to have fun, but have fun safely,” she said.
The department said test strips for fentanyl and Narcan, a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses, are available by emailing osu.cdph@cityofchicago.org or visiting a Chicago Public Library.
If you or a loved one is struggling with a substance use disorder and want help, call the Illinois Helpline at 833-234-6343 or visit helplineil.org/app/home.
