A Face Of Addiction: New Illinois Opioid Task Force
A new task force has been formed to combat opioid abuse in the state.
Earlier this month representatives of state agencies and advocates came together to announce the State of Illinois Opioid Action Plan.
Since 2013 - deaths due to heroin have almost doubled, while the amount of deaths from prescription opioid overdoses has quadrupled, according to the state’s public health department.
Andrew Dewey became addicted to opioids after being prescribed Vicodin for a back injury.
He says it eventually led to heroin use, "My eye sockets were all blackened - I had lost so much weight. I know it sounds cliché (but) I didn't recognize the man in the mirror."
Dewey, a UIS student and graduate research assistant for Illinois Issues, says in-patient treatment helped save him. Three areas of focus for the plan include prevention, treatment and response. A task force to implement it will be co-chaired by the Lt. Gov. and head of the state's health department.
Listen to the interview with Dewey, who was part of a press conference announcing the plan earlier this week.
Links
- Opioid Epidemic Hits Illinois Hardest In The Southern Region
- St. Joseph Woman Shares Story Of Opioid Addiction
- Lawmakers Explore Medical Marijuana As Opioid Alternative
- Opioids Pose Threat To K-9 Officers; ‘We Have No Idea’; Author Steve Hamilton
- When Cracking Down On Opioids Means Tougher Access For Sickle Cell Patients
- Helping Children of Drug-Addicted Mothers
- New Moms Need Daily Addiction Help To Stay In Recovery ... And Stay With Their Kids
- Afraid To Treat Pregnant Women, Doctors Drop Addicted Patients At A Vulnerable Time
- Moms-To-Be With Addiction Face Obstacles At Every Turn
- To Fight Drug Addiction, Hospitals Hire Recovering Addicts
- Addiction Experts Call Out Remarks From Tom Price As Unscientific, Damaging
- As Illinois Budget Crisis Continues, People With Addictions Find Tougher Road To Treatment