Heroin Use on the Rise in Wilmette; Forum Planned

WILMETTE, IL - Heroin use among young adults in Wilmette has increased recently, according to Wilmette police, and a community forum has been called to discuss its dangers.

“The increase has been evident in calls involving drug overdoses related to heroin, criminal incidents related to heroin use, and--unfortunately--heroin related deaths,” police said in a Monday news release. “Our experience is consistent with municipalities all around the Chicago metropolitan area that have reported similar increases.”

A forum to discuss specific situations and provide more in depth data will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at the Wilmette Public Library. A local parent of an addicted youth and police officials will speak. A police social worker and substance abuse counselors will identify resources available to victims and their families.

The forum is geared toward educating parents of young adults on the current dynamics of the trend. Police said Monday heroin is cheaper now than any other time in recent history and that young adults generally do not comprehend its “destructive nature.”