BLOOMINGDALE, Ill. – State Rep. Diane Pappas, D-Itasca, is promoting a statewide video campaign by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), which will bring awareness to their new Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances.

“Illinois needs new, comprehensive solutions to combat the increasing problem of opioid abuse, and this helpline will provide guidance to the countless people struggling with addiction,” Pappas said. “Supporting the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances is one of many steps I plan to take to assist Illinoisans working through opioid and other substance abuse.”

Pappas is highlighting IDHS’s new statewide video campaign to promote the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances. The helpline connects individuals struggling with opioid or other substance abuse problems, and anyone affected by the disease, directly with treatment and recovery options. Videos feature individuals who share their stories of recovery and organizations from across the state who are providing treatment and recovery services for opioid and other substance use disorders.

This year, Pappas supported stronger penalties for heroin and fentanyl dealers, and worked for greater oversight on prescription medications. Pappas also backed House Resolution 58, which calls on the Illinois Department of Public Health to take further steps to reduce the over-prescription of addictive medications.

“There are numerous potential solutions to this epidemic, and a hotline will help connect those in need with recovery and treatment options,” Pappas said. “There is no one clear path to healing and recovery for those suffering from opioid other substance use, so I will continue to work to provide more options for people dealing with these problems.”

If you or someone you know is suffering from an opioid or other substance use disorder, call the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances at 1-833-2FINDHELP or visit HelplineIL.org.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – Continuing her advocacy for substance abuse treatment, state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, is highlighting a recent video campaign from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) that focuses on connecting people struggling with opioid or other substance use to resources for treatment and recovery.

“Tackling opioid use in Illinois has been a priority for me,” Mussman said. “I’m confident that the IDHS’s campaign will be able to help spread information on the resources people may need in order to seek treatment for a substance abuse problem.”

The video campaign launched by IDHS aims to spread awareness of the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances through a series of videos that document personal stories from individuals affected by the opioid epidemic. By sharing these stories on social media platforms from the IDHS YouTube page, it allows for a greater number of people to learn about the Helpline and the resources available to those struggling with substance abuse. The IDHS has also been advertising during TV slots, social media advertisements, transit posters and billboards in select locations.

“It’s so important that the members of our community understand that there is quality help available for them,” Mussman said. “As we’ve seen, substance abuse and addiction can be treated. The helpline is another fantastic resource that has helped thousands and I applaud the excellent work that they do.”

Since the launch of the Illinois Helpline for Opioid and other Substances, over 16,000 people have reached out to the IDHS. The number for the Helpline is 1-833-2FINDHELP and their website is HelplineIL.org.