Taskforce Announces Plan To Combat Opioid Deaths In DuPage Co.

DUPAGE COUNTY, IL -- The DuPage County Heroin Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Taskforce is taking active measures to confront the ongoing opioid crisis faced by the county. Opioid-related deaths have steadily increased within recent years in DuPage County, a trend HOPE aims to fight with a multi-pronged plan of attack that starts with reducing access to opioids.

In a press release, DuPage County Board member Greg Hart, who also serves as co-chair of the HOPE Taskforce, said, "The HOPE Taskforce is committed to bringing forth new and innovative solutions in the coming months and years that will hopefully make a positive impact for the individuals, families, and DuPage County communities impacted by this epidemic.”

According to a recent news release from DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen, opioid-related deaths in DuPage County increased by 3 percent in 2018. This reflected an overall increase of more than 10 percent in local drug-related deaths.

HOPE outlined its goals publicly after the news from Jorgensen. The taskforce's top five priorities include reducing access to drugs, reducing the use and misuse of opioids, increasing responses to reports of overdoses, working to integrate mental health treatment with substance use treatment, and improving education on and prevention of substance use.

HOPE was founded as a joint effort by DuPage County Board of Health and the DuPage County Board. The HOPE taskforce is made up of mental health professionals, law enforcement officers, and other experts from throughout DuPage County.

Related: Opioid-Related Deaths Increased In 2018 In DuPage County

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