Above / The RX Drop-Off at the Naperville Police Station and all 10 fire stations is where individuals can dispose of expired and unused prescription drugs, no questions asked. The NPD also offers “Connect for Life” to involve the community in drug education and prevention.
DUPAGE COUNTY—The DuPage Narcan Program (DNP) has released its annual report and, according to Dr. Richard Jorgensen, DuPage County Coroner, the county saw a sharp increase in deaths and saves related to opioid overdoses.
There were 78 deaths and 145 saves related to opioid overdoses in 2016. The number of deaths attributed to fentanyl doubled, to 16 compared to 8 the previous year. A synthetic drug, fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.
“These numbers reveal that our work is not done in the quest to beat this epidemic,” Jorgensen said in the report. “We must continue to bring education to our citizens about this problem to prevent the misuse of opioids, treat those who are addicted and eradicate the supply of illegal drugs.”
The 78 opioid related deaths last year represent nearly half the total of the 162 deaths since 2014.
In an encouraging trend, leaders of many DNP program sites (police departments, schools, etc.) are now funding their supply of Narcan showing an increased commitment to reversing overdoses linked to heroin and other opioids.
The Village of Bloomingdale now funds the purchase of the Narcan spray for emergency responders.
“The DNP is making a difference and saving lives,” said Frank Giammarese, Bloomingdale police chief. “Providing local funds clearly demonstrates a commitment to combat the growing opioid epidemic in our community.”
Although the DNP was funded initially by the DuPage County Board of Health, the program now operates on private donations, grants, and local funding.
As shown in the report, lives are saved through the use of the nasal spray Naloxone, also known as Narcan, which reverses the effects of heroin and other opioids.
Since 2014, 3,143 individuals have been trained to administer naloxone among 60 program sites across DuPage County and the northern Illinois area.
Drug-free resources available to DuPage County residents
· Rx Box – drug disposal program aimed to reduce access to unused medications that may be misused or abused.
· Project Connect – a pilot program that offers linkage to support and treatment opportunities for those that have overdosed.
· Heroin Anonymous (HA) – offers support to individuals that would like to be drug-free and meets at the DuPage County Health Department Community Center.
· Community Access to Naloxone – Naloxone (Narcan) is available for individual use without a prescription at many pharmacies in DuPage County.
The DuPage Narcan Program was implemented in 2013 following a striking number of heroin deaths which prompted a call to action by local leaders, and was the first countywide overdose prevention program in Illinois to be approved by the Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (DASA).
Report submitted by Don Bolger, Public Information Officer, DuPage County Health Department.
Naperville offers ‘Connect for Life’ & RX Drop-Off locations
Heroin and other opioids as well as the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs create major local health concerns for all ages. Officers in the Naperville Police Department are provided with the drug Narcan, and they’re trained in its use to reduce the impact of a drug overdose. A year ago, the City launched a new program called “Connect for Life” to involve the community in education, prevention, support and enforcement. The NPD aims to reduce the number of fatal and nonfatal overdoses in Naperville by helping individuals seeking treatment for their addiction.
During a recent presentation to the Rotary Club of Naperville/Downtown, Deputy Chief Jason Arres emphasized the importance of helping the community learn about Connect for Life, a program that already has saved lives. In fact, Connect for Life with new strategies and its team of Sobriety Coaches help individuals who can come to the Naperville Police Station to get the help they need, without fear of arrest. Community policing works because keeping the Naperville safe is everybody’s responsibility. Everyone can help by spreading the word.
FYI: The RX Drop-Off at the Naperville Police Station and all 10 Naperville Fire Stations is where individuals can dispose of expired and unused prescription drugs, no questions asked.
—PN
RELATED POST / Daily Herald Story March 24, 2017 / A grieving father’s letter to his daughter who died of a heroin overdose
