Shining Light NFP and St. Mary's Church in West Chicago collaborate to bring a Heroin Awareness workshop
Did you know that more people are dying of drug overdose than car accidents in Du-Page? In 2013 overdose deaths were happening approximately every eight days. The time to prevent more deaths is NOW.
Shining Light seeks to develop self-reliant contributing members of society by providing educational and outreach services to individuals and families in the area. We break the cycle of poverty by taking a long-term, holistic approach with professional counseling and personal mentoring. Today, we offer workshops, classes, and support groups with a focus on: developing self-esteem, financial literacy, legal Q&A, nutrition, and job training. As part of our educational outreach, we have been hosting Heroin Awareness workshops in the area.
Therefore, I would like to thank DuPage County Board Member Laurie Nowak, Maria Oswald from Downers Grove Counseling, and West Chicago Mayor Ruben Pineda for their leadership in addressing the urgent issue of heroin use in our communities at a forum held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church this past Sunday. It is only with a strong partnership between families, schools, police, churches, and local community leaders that this epidemic will stop taking the precious lives of our friends and family members.
I urge parents to take a proactive role in knowing what our children are doing and who they’re spending time with. It is important that we introduce fulfilling activities and inspiring role models to our children, and recognize and address any signs of depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness or emptiness that could lead to a substance abuse. As the Executive Director of Shining Light Non-Profit here in West Chicago, I invite anyone facing a difficult situation to check out our counseling resources and get the tools to take positive action, rather than looking for an escape in drugs or alcohol.
We also must be careful when prescription pain killers are being used in our homes.
When possible, we must ask doctors and dentists to substitute the pain killer Toradol in place of more addictive Norco, Codeine, Morphine, and Oxycodone (Oxycontin). If there is any unused medication it is critical to recycle it at a police department before it gets into the wrong hands. It is also equally important to monitor prescription pain killers and look for signs that someone other than the prescribed user is taking the medication.
Lastly, please know that if you suspect that someone is overdosing, that there is a Good Samaritan Law in Illinois that protects you and the person overdosing from criminal charges – so do NOT hesitate to call 911 and save a life.
It sounds simple – but if you try it, most likely heroin really will destroy your life. It is more potent than other drugs. Do not underestimate its deadliness.
Thank you for all the support. We pray that there will be no more deaths in 2014.