(IOCI RADIO) – Illinois lawmakers are working on legislation that addresses the rising number of fentanyl-related deaths.

One bill, sponsored by Sen. Robert Peters of Chicago, would let pharmacists and other medical professional give out drug testing strips that check for fentanyl in a drug.

Another measure would make someone seeking help for an overdose immune from prosecution for having small amounts of the drug.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin.