Heroin Use in DuPage County: An Equal Opportunity Epidemic

West Chicago, Illinois: October30, 2013 - A new video, Heroin in DuPage County: An Equal Opportunity Epidemic, created by the City of Wheaton in collaboration with the DuPage County Chiefs of Police Association (DCCPA), and the DuPage County Coroner's Office, reveals the extent of a heartbreaking epidemic that is claiming lives in DuPage County at an alarming rate - heroin addiction. Its 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, moderated by Kent Williams of the DCCPA, 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.

The City of West Chicago Police Department encourages its citizens to watch the video which is now available on the City of West Chicago's YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/cityofwestchicago.

Special Note: As reported in the Daily Herald on October 28, 2013, the public is invited to attend the DuPage County Heroin Forum scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on November 18, 2013 at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital located at 3815 S. Highland Avenue, Downers Grove. For more information on this free event, contact State Representative Patti Bellock's office at (630) 852-8633, or State Representative Sandy Pihos' office at (630) 858-8855, who are sponsoring the event. Featured panelists will include officials from the Robert Crown Center for Health Education, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin and DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen. Topics will include prevention education, treatment, law enforcement response, and analysis and trends associated with heroin deaths.