A Common Sense Solution to Prevent Drug Abuse

Dear Neighbors and Illinois Lawmakers,

Prescription drug abuse can be found in every social class, neighborhood, and age in Chicago. It has unfortunately become a problem that is too commonplace, and we need to take action to fight it now. I experienced this epidemic firsthand when I lost my son to drug abuse, and I have made it my mission to ensure that it does not happen to other families in the future. In order to join the fight, I have become the Operations Co-Director of Live 4 Lali, a nonprofit group that works to raise awareness of substance use issues among individuals, families and communities to prevent use among youth and minimize the overall health, legal, emotional and social harms.

My son’s addiction began with prescription opiates, and it eventually progressed to heroin. I believe that if he were unable to crush his prescription painkillers, my son would not have become addicted in the first place. This is why I am an advocate of opioids with abuse-deterrent properties (OADPs), which are pills that are produced in a more responsible manner so they cannot be crushed. OADPs could have prevented so much pain for me and my family, and they have the potential to save so many lives across the country.

The prescription drug problem is out of control in the United States, with more and more causalities every year. I call on our lawmakers in Illinois to join us in the fight against this epidemic and enact legislation in 2016 to save lives by making OADPs available to everyone.

Terri Bartlett, Live 4 Lali