Crime & Safety
Heroin an Equal-Opportunity Epidemic in Our Area (VIDEO)
A new video shows how our area has become a "heroin highway" for the country.
"This is a true epidemic ... We can't enforce ourselves out of this epidemic."
Those are just some of the messages of a hard-hitting video that shows just how bad the heroin problem is in the west suburbs.
The new video, Heroin in DuPage County: An Equal Opportunity Epidemic reveals the extent of a heartbreaking epidemic that is claiming lives in at an alarming rate — in DuPage County and here in Kane County, as well.
Heroin's reach cuts across all age groups and socieoeconomic groups, and its consequences are deadly. According to information contained in the video, there were 18 heroin deaths in DuPage County in the month of July 2013 alone.
The powerful video features an interview with Nick, a 26-year old recovering heroin addict, and his mother, Kim, speaking candidly about the nightmare of addiction. Nick's story is one of an accomplished athlete with a normal childhood and a strong circle of friends. His growing dependence on a prescribed opiate-based pain medication for a sports injury as a teen resulted in his life-altering decision to move to heroin use.
Find out what's happening in Genevafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The city of West Chicago Police Department is encouraging citizens to watch the video which is now available on YouTube and attached to this article.
The public is invited to attend the DuPage County Heroin Forum scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 18, 2013 at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, 3815 S. Highland Ave., Downers Grove. Topics will include prevention education, treatment, law enforcement response, and analysis and trends associated with heroin deaths.
