Will County continues fight against opioids with grant
Funding goes towards preventing overdoses
JOLIET— The Will County Board is not ceding any ground in its fight against the opioid crisis, an epidemic that has now spread across the country. At its most recent meeting, the Board voted to approve a second year of funding from a five-year grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) to fight opioid addiction.
“We’re fortunate in Will County that we caught on to the opioid crisis early,” said Judy Ogalla (R-Monee), chair of the Public Health Committee. “This grant from the Department of Human Services bolsters our fight, but we still have a ways to go. We will continue to battle this epidemic with all of the tools available.”
“We’re fortunate in Will County that we caught on to the opioid crisis early,” said Judy Ogalla (R-Monee), chair of the Public Health Committee. “This grant from the Department of Human Services bolsters our fight, but we still have a ways to go. We will continue to battle this epidemic with all of the tools available.”
The DHS grant, called the Illinois Prevent Prescription Drug/Opioid Overdose-related Deaths (IPDO) Uniform Grant, will provide about $173,500 in funding for fiscal year 2018 for services that aim to prevent overdose deaths. This includes training first responders and community groups on prevention of overdose deaths, and purchasing and distributing Naloxone kits. Naloxone (also known as Narcan) is a drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
“We saw some success with the distribution of the Naloxone kits last year, which is why it’s so important we use this funding to continue our efforts,” said Public Health Committee member Laurie Summers (D-Crete). “Further education on the opioid epidemic and prevention will also ensure overdose rates decrease in the future.”
Five Illinois recipients servicing six counties received the five-year grant. Earlier this year, Will County hired Dr. Kathleen Burke as the director of Substance Use Initiatives to assist with coordinating programs associated with the grant. Recently, Burke helped Ogalla and Summers hold a forum in their district to promote awareness about opioids and mental health issues.
“Overdose deaths because of opioid addiction – to prescription pain pills, heroin, and fentanyl – continue to rise,” Burke said. “It’s crucial to educate and distribute to the public Naloxone, while at the same time reducing the stigma around addiction so those with the disease more readily seek treatment.”
“We saw some success with the distribution of the Naloxone kits last year, which is why it’s so important we use this funding to continue our efforts,” said Public Health Committee member Laurie Summers (D-Crete). “Further education on the opioid epidemic and prevention will also ensure overdose rates decrease in the future.”
Five Illinois recipients servicing six counties received the five-year grant. Earlier this year, Will County hired Dr. Kathleen Burke as the director of Substance Use Initiatives to assist with coordinating programs associated with the grant. Recently, Burke helped Ogalla and Summers hold a forum in their district to promote awareness about opioids and mental health issues.
“Overdose deaths because of opioid addiction – to prescription pain pills, heroin, and fentanyl – continue to rise,” Burke said. “It’s crucial to educate and distribute to the public Naloxone, while at the same time reducing the stigma around addiction so those with the disease more readily seek treatment.”
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