New Laws Prevent Opioid Abuse, Treat Heroin Addiction

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Responding to increasing reports of heroin and opioid usage across Illinois, state Rep Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, voted to enact a comprehensive and bipartisan plan to address abuse and addiction.

"There is a heroin epidemic that is sweeping the country. Children and teenagers are dying from this dangerous narcotic," Crespo said. "Providing potentially life-saving treatment is common-sense."

Crespo voted to enact the Heroin Crisis Act, House Bill 1, despite the governor's veto, removing key provisions of the bill providing critical treatment. Under the measure, emergency personnel would be required to possess an opioid antagonist, commonly known as Naloxone or Narcan, which could reverse the effects of a heroin overdose. Other aspects of the measure include the expansion of medication take-back initiatives, drug courts and treatment programs.

Reinforcing his strong stance against crime and illicit substances, Crespo also voted earlier this year to launch a pilot program that responds to instances of prescription drug addiction and abuse. Under House Bill 3219, now law, a one-year pilot program will be developed through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and participating pharmacies to install locking devices on prescription bottles for opioids.

"The stakes are high and the threat is real. If we want to protect our children and foster drug-free communities, we need to take a multi-faceted approach that focuses on prevention and treatment options," Crespo said. "It is reassuring that the Legislature was able to come together to advance bipartisan measures that will help stop these horrible substances from taking another young life."