Community Corner
Local Leaders Seek to Raise Awareness & Destigmatize Drug Addiction
International Overdose Awareness Day effort includes training on Narcan, sharing resources from agencies, and remarks of hope, encouragement
A variety of local leaders working to reduce drug overdose deaths gathered at Scoville Park on Wednesday afternoon to mark International Overdose Awareness Day.
Activity included training on the use of Narcan, the overdose reversal medication, sharing resources from agencies, and remarks from elected leaders along with Sara Goggin Young, a recovering addict who conveyed words of hope and encouragement.
Her earlier years were marked by athletic and academic success that included serving as captain of the Oak Park and River Forest High School's state champion swim team. Then, she made a series of choices to "self-medicate" after an injury as a Division I college athlete.
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"I had everything going for me...(but) I let my thoughts and stigma and shame and failure change everything in my life," said Young. Then, after being "sick and tired of being sick and tired," she discovered that sobriety was a viable path--one she never knew of before "because it wasn't shown to me."
"I am honored to stand here amongst each and every one of you, and the work that you are doing," she added.
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Government leaders from Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park and Maywood, as well as Illinois State Senator Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford and State Representative LaShawn Ford, likewise addressed the gathering at the park, located outside the Oak Park Public Library. A dominant theme was gratitude for the +PYD Opioid Task Force. PYD stands for Positive Youth Development, which is led by Kelly O'Connor, the township's prevention services coordinator.
+PYD plays a key role in educating the community and destigmatizing addiction and drug abuse. The task force's work comes under the auspices of Oak Park and River Forest Township.
Task Force Members include representatives from Way Back Inn, Riveredge Hospital, Live4Lali, the Oak Park and River Forest Police Departments, Oak Park & River Forest Townships, Thrive Counseling, and the Village of Oak Park Health Department.
"We've come a long way," River Forest Township Supervisor Carla Sloan noted, "but we have a lot of work to do. That work is based on hope, and belief in that hope."
To learn more about how to get involved with the +PYD Opioid Task Force, contact Kelly O'Connor at koconnor@oakparktownship.org or 708-383-8005.
