Seminar looks at opioid intervention drug

The 22nd Judicial Circuit, Department of Probation and Court Services will host an education seminar for Criminal Justice and Community Partners on the opioid intervention drug Vivitrol Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Vivitrol is a nonaddictive FDA approved drug that blocks opioid receptors and has been proven successful with drug abuse intervention efforts for alcohol and heroin/opiate addicted clients.

Vivitrol naltrexone, for extended-release injectable suspension, is designed for once-monthly dosing, blocks opioid receptor sites. Representatives from Alkermes, a global biopharmaceutical company, have worked in more than a dozen states and other jurisdictions on drug intervention efforts utilizing Vivitrol for heroin/opiate dependent offenders with excellent results.

Following the presentation will be an open forum for governmental and community partners to ask questions on how we can collectively combat the epidemic of heroin/opiate addiction and overdoses in our community and how Vivitrol can assist us in this effort.

Presenters will include:

• Mark R. Smith, president of the Di Vinci Group, a consulting firm that works with governmental agencies and policymakers throughout the United States.

• Adam Rondeau, R.N., BSN, associate director, Government Affairs and Policy at Alkermes Inc., will present on the specific questions regarding the use of Vivitrol, medical questions, etc.

• Christopher R. Wilkins Sr., president and CEO of CHESS, president and CEO of CHESS Mobile Health Inc., Pittsford, New York, former public defender and prosecutor in the state of New York, will present on the effectiveness of Vivitrol in crime reduction efforts.

• Julie Naples, Illinois representative for Alkermes, will discuss ongoing efforts for the use of Vivitrol in various Illinois judicial circuits.

The presentation will be held at the McHenry County Administration Building. For details, call Walt Pesterfield, director probation and court services, at (815) 334-4400.