Overdose Deaths in Winnebago County Up 28% in 2018

In a shocking news conference, Winnebago County Coroner Bill Hintz, announced that overdose deaths went on 28% in 2018 according to WIFR.

Lots of people are tempted by the excitement or the escape that drugs seem to offer. Some call these drugs harmless recreation, but they're not - Winnebago County Coroner Bill Hintz

The number one killer locally? Fentanyl.

Pharmaceutical Fentanyl is an opioid pain reliever, it's 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine - Winnebago County Coroner Bill Hintz

In Winnebago County there were 124 overdoses in 2017 and 159 in 2018. If you or anyone you know has a Fentanyl issue, there is help available locally:

Rosecrance Heath Network - (815) 391-1000