City Announces New Initiatives to Combat Opioid Epidemic

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Health

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that the City of Chicago will implement new initiatives to address the ongoing opioid epidemic using funding from settlements with the three largest pharmaceutical distributors: McKesson; Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen; and manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its parent company Johnson & Johnson. These settlements provide substantial funds to states and municipalities to address the ongoing opioid epidemic and resulting public health crisis across the country. The Illinois Remediation Fund will receive 55 percent of the settlement proceeds, estimated at $437M over eighteen years, and will be administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) for programs and purposes that address the opioid crisis throughout Illinois. The Illinois Opioid Advisory Board will make recommendations to the state regarding the use of these funds.  The other 45 percent of the settlement proceeds will be distributed among the state, counties, municipalities, and townships. The Illinois Attorney General’s Office estimates that Chicago will receive approximately $78M over eighteen years.  According to provisional data from the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, 1,428 opioid-related overdose fatalities occurred in Chicago in 2021. For additional information about CDPH’s substance use services, visit OvercomeOpioids.com or contact the Office of Substance Use at: osu.cdph@cityofchicago.org or call the IL Helpline for Opioids at 833-234-6343 and be connected immediately to same-day opioid use disorder treatment.  To view a map of all publicly available Narcan in the city, visit: bit.ly/FindNarcan.

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