CHICAGO – State Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, is encouraging residents struggling with addiction and family members of those struggling with addiction to call a toll-free hotline with resources on opioid abuse and treatment.

“The opioid epidemic has touched every community; ours included,” D’Amico said. “Addressing the crisis requires action by residents at every level, from our representatives in Washington and Springfield to neighbors and family watching out for one another.”

Residents can call the Illinois Hotline for Opioids and Other Substances at 833-2FINDHELP to speak with a specialist about treatment. The hotline is free and confidential, and you don’t need to have insurance to access treatment. The hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to offer assistance to residents suffering from opioid addiction. Additional treatment information is also available at helplineil.org.

D’Amico supported the establishment of the toll-free number last year through House Bill 3161, which required the Department of Human Services to post information on their website about heroin and opioid abuse for the public.

“Opioid-related deaths doubled in the past three years alone,” D’Amico continued. “Addiction is not a choice; it’s a chronic disease, and one of the most difficult challenges life can throw your way. Taking away the stigma behind opioid abuse and providing free, confidential support can begin to address it.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A new law co-sponsored by state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, requires the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) to create and maintain a website to educate the public on heroin and prescription opioid abuse.

“The opioid epidemic is devastating families across the country, regardless of where they live or what their income level is,” Mussman said. “Illinois is not immune to this crisis, and we must give every family the ability to combat this disease. By teaching everyone about the signs of an opioid addiction, families can be better prepared to recognize what the symptoms are and know how to educate their children about this epidemic.”

House Bill 3161 requires IDHS’s website to include information on the warning signs of heroin and prescription opioid addiction, helpful hints for parents on how to discuss the dangers of heroin and prescription opioid addiction with their children, and information on available treatment options and services. It will also list a toll-free number that residents can call if they have questions about substance abuse and treatment. Mussman wants to be sure that the public is adequately educated on what the symptoms of heroin and opioid abuse are to prevent future lives from being lost to this painful epidemic.

“Far too often, people who are struggling with a heroin or opioid addiction do not get the help that they need, resulting in a high number of overdoses,” said Mussman. “By helping families know the signs of an addiction, they can get their loved one help before it is too late.”

For more information, please contact Mussman’s full-time constituent service office at 847-923-9104 or by email at StateRepMussman@gmail.com.

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Local families will have greater access to information about the dangers of heroin and prescription opioid abuse under a measure sponsored by state Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, that was recently signed into law.

“Opioid and heroin overdoses claimed the lives of more than 2,000 Illinoisans in 2016, destroying families and breaking up communities,” Halpin said. “A key step to reducing the level of abuse in communities across the state is education about the warning signs and how to discuss the dangers of heroin and prescription opioids with loved ones who may be struggling with addiction.”

Halpin co-sponsored House Bill 3161, which requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to expand drug outreach by creating and maintaining a website to educate the public on heroin and opioid use. Currently, DHS provides early intervention programs for at risk persons and opioid treatment education programs. The website created by DHS will contain detailed information about warning signs of drug addiction, treatment and referral services.

“The growing heroin and opioid epidemic in Illinois requires comprehensive education, treatment and the willingness to give first responders the resources they need to prevent tragedies,” Halpin said. “We have to approach this serious problem from multiple fronts, and this legislation is another tool we can utilize to curb abuse.”

For more information, please contact Halpin’s full-time constituent service office at 309-558-3612 or at rephalpin@gmail.com.

JOLIET, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is calling on Gov. Rauner to sign legislation that will create a more a comprehensive website with tools and resources to educate the public about the dangers of heroin.

“The heroin and opioid crisis continues to grow in Will County and across the state,” Manley. “One important component to fighting this epidemic is education and that starts with making sure that people know where to go to find all of the information they need. This legislation ensures that anyone in Illinois looking for resources and tools can find them all in one place.”

Manley’s House Bill 3161 requires the Department of Human Services to update their existing website about heroin and opioid abuse to better educate the public. The new information will include: the warning signs of heroin and opioid addiction, tips for parents on how to talk about these drugs with their children, a list of places where someone can receive treatment and a toll-free number that people can call with questions about heroin abuse and treatment.

“Through the middle of this year, Will County has already seen 45 opioid-related deaths,” Manley said. “This website will give parents the resources they need to start conversations with our children about the dangers of heroin and point them in the right direction for treatment services. I urge the governor to quickly sign this legislation into law to make sure our community has access to as many resources as possible.”

For more information, please contact Manley’s constituent service office at 815-725-2741 or RepManley@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Continuing her efforts to address the ongoing heroin epidemic in Will County, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, introduced legislation that brings changes and creates a comprehensive website with tools and resources to educate the public about the dangers of heroin.

“In 2016, Will County had 77 deaths caused by heroin overdoses,” Manley said. “According to the county coroner’s office, if nothing changes the county could easily have over 100 heroin-related deaths this year. Providing the information and educating the public about these dangers is an important part of combating this epidemic.”

Manley’s House Bill 3161 requires the Department of Human Services to update their existing website about heroin and opioid abuse to better educate the public. The new information will include: the warning signs of heroin and opioid addiction, tips for parents on how to talk about these drugs with their children, a list of places where someone can receive treatment and a toll-free number that people can call with questions about heroin abuse and treatment.

“Trying to talk about drug abuse with family and friends is difficult, especially when there isn’t one place to find all the tools and resources you need to start the conversation,” Manley said. “This website will be a place where people can go to learn the warning signs of these drugs and find out about treatment options, as well as, get individual questions answered. With this additional information that is going to be added to the department’s website, valuable resources will be at our fingertips.”

For more information, please contact Manley’s constituent service office at 815-725-2741 or RepManley@gmail.com.