Opioid Deaths Rising In Cook County Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Public health officials say the crisis is disproportionately impacting African American residents on the South and West sides.

By Nereida Moreno
Online Treatment, Virtual Check-Ins: Dealing With Addiction In A Pandemic
In this March 27, 2020 photo, a patient picking up medication for opioid addiction is given hand sanitizer at a clinic in Olympia, Wash., The clinic is meeting patients outdoors and offering longer prescriptions to reduce risk of coronavirus infection. (Ted S. Warren/AP Photo)
Online Treatment, Virtual Check-Ins: Dealing With Addiction In A Pandemic
In this March 27, 2020 photo, a patient picking up medication for opioid addiction is given hand sanitizer at a clinic in Olympia, Wash., The clinic is meeting patients outdoors and offering longer prescriptions to reduce risk of coronavirus infection. (Ted S. Warren/AP Photo)

Opioid Deaths Rising In Cook County Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Public health officials say the crisis is disproportionately impacting African American residents on the South and West sides.

By Nereida Moreno
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Opioid-related deaths have doubled in Cook County since this time last year, according to a new report from ProPublica Illinois.

Reset takes a closer look at how public officials are responding, and how the pandemic is impacting the state’s response to the overdose crisis.

GUEST: Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica Illinois reporter