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The program includes discussions and training sessions to
address substance use. Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris"
Welch, D-Hillside, said it is a life-saving series.
“You know, that’s what this is all about. Getting out to make
our communities happier, healthier and safer,” Welch said.
Cook County Department of Public Health Chief Operating Officer
Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck said that about 2,300 suburban Cook County
residents died from opioid-involved overdoses between 2016 and
2022. He said the Village of Maywood has some of the highest
rates of substance use.
“But this is not a Maywood problem. Let me clear about that.
This is a Cook County problem. This is a state of Illinois
problem. This is a national problem,” Hasbrouck said.
According to data from the Cook County Department of Public
Health, 23% of adults in suburban Cook County reported binge
drinking. In students who ever used marijuana, the percentage of
first use before age 13 was 26% for Blacks, 16% for Hispanics,
and 8% for whites.
The Substance Use and Awareness series includes discussions,
trainings and gatherings with residents and other key
stakeholders. The events are intended to raise awareness, reduce
stigma and increase access to naloxone across suburban Cook
County.
The current series, which runs through the month of August, is
focused on Maywood and the surrounding communities.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is providing about
$40,000 in taxpayer funding. Federal taxpayers are contributing
$29,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Welch said these are the types of programs he is fighting for
every day in Springfield. Welch claimed that state lawmakers
passed balanced budgets the last six years, including the last
four since he became speaker.
“Each one of those budgets the last four years has increased
funding at record levels for mental health services, for
substance use and abuse services, and it’s something that we
have to continue to make a top priority,” Welch said.
Additional awareness and education series are planned in
suburban Cook County over the next year.
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