Illinois receives grant for anti-overdose drugs

Posted on October 7, 2017
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Nirav Shah says the grant will benefit a number of rural counties. (Photo Facebook/Illinois Department of Public Health)

By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – Some of Illinois’ smallest counties are in-line for their share of $2 million to fight overdose deaths.

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Nirav Shah says the opioid crisis is one of the biggest public health and public safety threats in Illinois history.

Opioids, whether they be prescriptions pills, heroin, or the synthetics of fentanyl or carfentanyl, are one of the state’s biggest killers.

“Last year in Illinois, there were aproximately 1,900 opioid deaths,” Shah explained. “That is more than twice the number of fatal car crashes, and one and a half times the number of homicides.”

Illinois is getting a grant to fight overdose deaths in some of the state’s rural counties. Shah said most of the money will go to buy the anti-overdose drug naloxone for police officers and first responders.

“This $2 million will allow us to focus on 18 counties,” Shah said. “And equip each and every squad car, each and every ambulance with naloxone.”

Shah said the 18 counties in Illinois are Christian, Clay, Crawford, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Greene, Jasper, Jefferson, Lawrence, Marion, Montgomery, Perry, Randolph, Richland, Wabash, Washington, and Wayne counties.

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