CBS 2 Chicago’s Dana Kozlov was doing a report about Chicago’s drug epidemic, and she rushed to help a victim who overdosed right in front of her.
CBS 2 Chicago’s Dana Koslov was in the East Garfield Park neighborhood reporting on the illegal drug problem and drug overdoses when a man collapsed nearby while overdosing in the middle of the block of 700 North Christiana about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday April 23, 2019.
The man was prone in the middle of the street, and was barely conscious. Onlookers surround the scene, but no one was helping. So CBS 2’s crew and Dana Kozlov did.
Dana Kozlov kept the man awake as they waited for Chicago Fire Department firefighters and paramedics to arrive. Meanwhile onlooker watched and laughed.
Paramedics arrived minutes later and assessed their patient and put him in an ambulance. He was at least the 15th person to overdose in the two-block area since Tuesday morning.
“He bought him some drugs, and he fell out,” said Leon Burch, who said he wasn’t sure what type of drug the man took, but assumed it was heroin. “Of course. That’s what they sell over here. That’s what it’s about,” Burch said.
The heroin sold in the neighborhood is likely laced with Fentanyl, which experts say is 50 times more potent than heroin.
Police also arrived on scene a short time after firefighters and paramedics. Residents told CPD officers that drug dealers stole the man’s car when they noticed he was overdosing.
“You can’t have any peace because they’re all up and down the street with this mess, disturbing the neighbors,” Burch said. “You have older neighbors over here, and nobody’s doing anything. We got our alderman. He’s in office, but what is he doing?”
More than six people said they’ve called and met with Ald. Walter Burnett numerous times with little response. Dana Kozlov attempted to contact Alderman Walter Burnett didn’t respond to CBS 2’s calls and messages either.
I went to E. Garfield Park to look into a rash of overdoses today and found this man in the street. Overdosing. I called 911 and stayed with him. He’s one of 20 in Chicago today; 15 heroin od’s in that one area alone. Can we talk, @AldermanBurnett? @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/onb4MQz7S2
— Dana Kozlov (@DanaCBS2) April 24, 2019
Hello @AldermanBurnett . Been trying to reach you all afternoon to talk about the dozen overdoses in your ward overnight. No one returning my calls. Might we be able to meet you somewhere? Neighbors say they’ve expressed concerns to you with no action. @cbschicago
— Dana Kozlov (@DanaCBS2) April 23, 2019
Chicago police said late Tuesday night that in total there were 20 overdose victims on Tuesday April 23, 2019 before 10 p.m. Two of the drug overdoses were fatal.
The Chicago Police Department’s narcotics unit is working with federal investigators on the illegal drug and overdose epidemic.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) drug overdose deaths from all drugs and from opioid overdoses alone have gone up every year from 1999 to 2017. The increase has accelerated especially since about 2013.
In 2007 there were 18,515 opioid overdose deaths nationwide. In 2017 there were 47,600 overdose deaths nationwide, according to the CDC.
See also …
NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse | Overdose Death Rates
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