Tom Cullerton gives DuPage parents tools to fight the opioid epidemic signed into law

VILLA PARK- DuPage parents will soon have easily
found educational information to prevent heroin and opioid addiction,
thanks to Villa Park Democrat, State Senator Tom Cullerton.

Cullerton’s measure, House Bill 3161, which will require the
Department of Human Services to create and maintain a website to educate
the public on heroin and prescription opioid abuse, was signed into law
today.

“We need to equip every single person that touches the life of a
young person with the necessary resources to combat the heroin
epidemic,” Cullerton said. “This is a simple step the state can take to
make sure DuPage parents have a place to turn to help their children
kick this deadly addiction.”

The website will include items such as the warning signs of heroin
and prescription opioid addiction, helpful hints for parents on how to
discuss the dangers of these addictions with their children, available
treatment options and services, and other related information.

This new law comes in light of a request made by the federal
government to DHS. Without the passage of House Bill 3161 the state
risks losing federal funds to fight substance addiction.

The DuPage County Coroner’s Office’s reports were a total of 78 opiate related deaths in 2016, a 78% increase from last year.

“We need to make sure people know there is help out there,” Cullerton
said. “We need to make sure those suffering from opioid addiction and
their loved ones know where to find it.”

Cullerton is urging DuPage County residents to give his Villa Park
Office a call at (630) 903-6662 with any question regarding where to
receive help fighting opioid addiction.

House Bill 3161 passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support. The new law will go into effect on January 1, 2018.