advertisement

State officials visit Lake County to learn about substance abuse programs

Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti and state health officials visited Waukegan on Friday to discuss the opioid crisis and learn about Lake County's efforts to battle substance abuse.

The visit included a tour of the Lake County Health Department's substance abuse program in Waukegan.

"I'm very inspired by having done this tour," Sanguinetti said. "They're able to track patients from the minute they come in and find out if they're on opioids. They're with them every step of the way.

"Here in this facility we heard some stories from those who suffered from substance use disorder and how their journey has been. What we have learned about this epidemic is that it knows no neighborhoods, no color, no class. It's an equal opportunity aggressor."

Shayna La Bue of Wauconda, who has struggled with addiction, talked about how important the rehab facility has been in her life.

"This was the only place that I actually picked up the phone and started the turning point that I really needed in my life," she said. "I had only planned to stay for detox, and there just was something here about the people and the counselors that made me want to stay, and I'm so glad I did. I have such a strong solid foundation for my recovery and I'm so honored to be here to give it back."

Sanguinetti was accompanied on the visit by Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, and Dr. Maria Bruni, the acting assistant secretary of programs for the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Sanguinetti and Shah lead an Opioid Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force created last month by Gov. Bruce Rauner. Bruni also serves on the task force, which aims to reduce opioid overdose deaths by one-third within three years.

Sanguinetti's visit came one day after President Donald Trump declared the opioid crisis a nationwide public health emergency.

Sanguinetti also was scheduled to be among the featured guests at a $100-a-plate fundraiser for the Lake County Republican Federation on Friday night in Lake Forest.

• Daily Herald photographer Bob Chwedyk contributed to this report.

Illinois lawmakers seek to curb heroin, opioid crisis

Gov. Bruce Rauner signs 2 anti-opioid laws into Illinois law

Illinois addressing opioid problem 'on a statewide level,' Sanguinetti says

Governor's opioid task force begins statewide listening tour

  Shayna La Bue of Wauconda and James Nash of Mundelein share stories about addiction with Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti and Lake County health officials at the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center in Waukegan Friday. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
  Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti is given a tour of the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center by Executive Director Mark Pfister Friday in Waukegan. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
  Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti is given a tour of the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center by Executive Director Mark Pfister, right, and Associate Director Nick Caputa Friday in Waukegan. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
  Associate Director Nick Caputa shows Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti an inpatient room in the addictions treatment program Friday during a tour of the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center in Waukegan. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.