More than 1,000 calls have come in to Illinois’ new helpline for opioid addiction and substance abuse since it launched in December. Helpline operators coordinate resources to callers based on needs, such as finding sober living homes.
When President Trump declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency in late October, it triggered a regulatory change intended to make it easier for people to get care in places with provider shortages. This declaration allows for the prescribing of addiction medicine virtually, without doctors ever seeing the patient in person.
The statistics are sobering. Opioid overdoses have killed nearly 11,000 people in Illinois since 2008. Last year alone, that number was nearly 2,000 — twice the number of fatal car crashes. State officials estimate that number will continue to explode.
More health care, social service and law enforcement agencies are focusing on opioid addiction in Illinois. People have the chance to learn more about addiction to pain killers on Thursday.
On The 21st: Why is the U.S. struggling with maternal deaths during childbirth? Plus, we take a look at the opioid crisis in Illinois and hear about some of the important bills being taken up in the statehouse during the veto session.
