The number of deaths in Lake County attributed to substance abuse tripled from 1998 (30 deaths) to 2010 (92), according to a Chicago Tribune article. Last year, law enforcement acknowledged the “heroin epidemic” was still worsening, with the number of Lake County residents having died due to heroin and other opiates doubling in just five years. Community leaders and residents were called upon to fight back against the heroin and opioid problems affecting the county.
Lake County State’s Attorney Mike Nerheim called on local stakeholders to develop a comprehensive opioid prevention strategy. Several groups worked together to develop the outline for the opioid prevention plan, which is considered a model for Illinois and the nation. In addition to this, in June the Lake County Health Department announced that it would be receiving a federal grant that will allow it to double the number of individuals the department can treat in its Medication Assisted Treatment program for opioid addiction over the next two years.
Even with these important steps being taken, heroin and opioid addiction continue to affect the Lake County community.
Interested in learning more? Join a panel of experts along with Lake County State’s Attorney Mike Nerheim at the Library on Thursday, September 15 at 7:00 p.m. for a special discussion on The Dangers of Heroin and Opioids in Lake County. The panel will discuss the trends, dangers, and signs of drug abuse and where to seek help. Please register in advance.
Our panel includes:
- Laura Fry, Director of Operations and Recovery Programs for Live4Lali
- Bruce Johnson, CEO of Nicasa Behavioral Health Sciences
- Chief Eric Guenther, Mundelein Police Department
- Dr. Adam Rubinstein, Internal Medicine from Advocate Condell Medical Center
- Kevin Kaminski, in recovery
- Our moderator: Lake County State’s Attorney Michael G. Nerheim
The following Deerfield officials will also be in attendance and available for questions during the Q&A:
- Mayor Harriet Rosenthal
- Chief of Police John Sliozis
- District 109 Superintendent Michael Lubelfeld
- District 113 Superintendent Christopher Dignam
