The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announces the launch of summer activations to coordinate interventions along the continuum of substance use and violence prevention using a hyper-local, place-based approach. CDPH aims to flatten the curves of opioid overdoses and violence victimizations by increasing outreach in the most impacted community areas to increase knowledge, resources, and linkage to care. CDPH’s data indicates that the number of both gun violence victimizations and suspected opioid overdoses increase in the summer months (May – August) in Chicago. Violent incidents are most likely to occur on weekends, peaking on Saturday nights between midnight and 2 a.m. During the summer of 2024, CDPH coordinated a response between government agencies, partner organizations, and other stakeholders through a Summer Opioid Response Incident Command Structure (SOR-ICS), reinforcing opioid use safeguards among populations. Based on preliminary data from Cook County, opioid overdose deaths dropped by 44 percent in 2024 compared to 2023. CDPH’s summer safety plan in 2025 includes the following interventions in the 27 priority community areas:
566 Peacekeepers will work as local messengers in identified hotspots to de-escalate tensions and mediate peace between conflicted parties. Community areas in Chicago that incorporated Peacekeeper programs have seen reductions in shooting victimizations.
Safe Space Activations are social settings where communities can safely gather. Trusted messengers from the community share vital resources and information in these gatherings.
Gun safety workshops are scheduled from May through August in locations around the city.
Safety at Summer Festivals by providing Narcan® and drug test kits to people who use drugs along with informational materials about the risks of adulterants in the illegal drug supply.
For anyone seeking treatment for opioid use disorder, MAR NOW connects callers to immediate care. Call 833-234-6343 or text “HELP” to 833234. To read more about CDPH’s work in behavioral health in Chicago, visit: Chicago.gov/BehavioralHealth
