HERO HELPS Community Forum to address rise in heroin use in Will County
April 10
ROMEOVILLE – Local leaders will join health care professionals, counselors, and treatment providers beginning at 9:30am on Friday, April 13 at Lewis University in Romeoville in response to the rise in heroin overdose deaths in Will County.
In 2012, there have been nine confirmed deaths from heroin overdose in Will County. In 2011, 30 people died from heroin overdose in the county. HERO, HELPS, and their partners are hosting this community forum aimed at creating a dialogue between elected officials, law enforcement, health care providers, educators, and the public, allowing everyone involved to learn more about the drug overdose crisis and talk about solutions.
WHAT: A daylong educational forum designed to offer information and resources about the heroin crisis
WHO: Will County Executive Larry Walsh, Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow, Will County Coroner Pat O’Neil, Will County Judge Ray Nash, John Roberts and Brian Kirk from HERO, and local treatment professionals
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Dr. Jeff Coady, Regional Administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (Region V)
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. until 2:15 p.m., Friday, April 13, 2012
WHERE: JKF Sports Complex, Lewis University campus, One University Parkway (off of Route 53, south of I-55), Romeoville
This daylong event will include a keynote address at 9:30am, four concurrent educational sessions from 10:30 a.m. until 11:50 a.m. A community forum will begin at 12:30pm and will feature a panel of the guest speakers taking direct questions from the attendees.
From 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., a youth rally will be held, including three live bands and testimonials from young people in recovery or with personal experiences with heroin.