New Legislation Tackles Heroin Epidemic

By Shannon Antinori 

Legislation that would create a heroin youth task force will head to Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk after passing both houses.

Read More on Patch's "Heroin: Naperville's Drug Reality" Page

Sponsored by State Rep. Natalie Manley (D-Joliet), the bill would create the Young Adults Heroin Use Task Force to diagnose the heroin problem in high schools, along with working to create programs to curb heroin use.

The bill unanimously passed the Senate on May 23, and the house by a vote of 92-25 on Wednesday.

“This bill will provide an opportunity for local communities to develop methods to combat usage in high schools, and educate our children about the harmful, life-threatening consequences of heroin,” Manley said in a press release. “In order to make the most impact, we must possess a strong understanding of the problem, educate the public on the issue, and work together for the benefit of our area’s safety and well-being. I also urge the task force to expand their research when needed, to study if any problems surface during middle school, not just high school.”  

Will County Coroner Pat O’Neil has spoken out on the heroin epidemic. Earlier this month, he told CBS News’ “48 Hours” that the increase in heroin-related deaths is “astounding.” In 2000, the coroner’s office reported five heroin overdose deaths. In 2012, there were 53.

So far in 2013, the coroner's office is reporting 11 heroin-related deaths, including deaths in Joliet in Bolingbrook.

“We have more heroin overdose deaths in Will County than we have car crash fatalities and homicides combined,” O’Neil said. “I’ve signed four death certificates this week, and all four were heroin overdoses.”

Watch the video of O'Neil's appearance on CBS here.

Local community forums have been held to help educate the public about the rise of heroin use in Naperville and the surrounding area. After a number of deaths in Naperville due to overdoses within the past year and a series of educational forums that followed, parents and officials are becoming well aware of the drug’s popularity and dangers.

In Naperville, two students took it upon themselves to raise awareness about the epidemic after filming the documentary "Neuqua on Drugs." The documentary, which tells the uncut story of Naperville's youth drug culture, recently won a Dreamland International Film Festival award and is now available to purchase online.

Will County officials have also responded to the epidemic with events such as the Hero Helps heroin forum, spearheaded by Will County Executive Larry Walsh and held two years in a row at Lewis University in Romeoville.
 
“The passing of this bill to establish a heroin prevention education program in schools across Illinois is critical in protecting the health and welfare of our next generation,” Walsh said of Manley’s bill in a press release.