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Several pieces of legislation were introduced in the General
Assembly during the spring session that dealt with fentanyl
overdoses, including easier access to fentanyl test strips.
State Sen. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, advanced a measure
aimed to prevent overdose deaths at concert venues. The
legislation requires for-profit music venues that have an
occupancy of 1,000 or more to have opioid-overdose antidotes on
hand and trained staff available to administer the drugs.
Naloxone is used to reverse an opioid overdose by blocking the
effects of opiates on the brain and restoring breathing.
Amphetamine and ecstasy are common “party drugs” used at
concerts that could potentially be laced with opioids.
“People go to a music festival or concert to enjoy themselves
and one bad decision should not cost them their life,” said
Villa. “Whether someone consumes a harmful substance on purpose
or accidentally, this bill will save lives by expanding first
aid in concert halls to include treating overdose.”
The law applies to music venues for live concerts or musical
performances for which tickets are sold for entry.
Fentanyl now accounts for nearly 70% of all opioid-related
deaths in the U.S., with a growing number of overdoses occurring
at events such as music festivals. Music festivals like
Lollapalooza have become hotspots for party drugs like ecstasy
and cocaine.
Illinois ranks sixth nationally in nonfatal opioid overdoses,
according to an analysis of National Emergency Medical Services
Information System data.
After being signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker earlier this month, the
law goes into effect June 1, 2024.
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