By NATHAN LURZ
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nlurz@shawmedia.com
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Northern Illinois Antiques Association Presents Its th
54 Annual Antique Show
Forest Hills Lodge Rockford, Illinois Saturday, February 15, 2014 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Sunday, February 16, 2014 11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Located 1/2 mile east of Route 251 on Route 173 1601 West Lane Road Loves Park, Illinois
New website: HeroinDuPage.org Twitter: @HeroInDuPage Facebook: www.facebook.com/ heroindupage Deaths attributed to heroin overdose in DuPage County: 2013 46 2012 38 2011 23 2010 29
Nathan Lurz - nlurz@shawmedia.com
Recovering heroin addict Cody Lewis spoke Jan. 23 at the DuPage County Administration Building in Wheaton during one of two forums organized by the DuPage Coalition Against Heroin. percent involve heroin, said State’s Attorney Robert Berlin. For comparison, in 2004, he said the county had less than five such cases. To combat the problem, the coalition announced the
launch of a new website, www. HeroinDuPage.org, and a social media campaign that presents a variety of information, such as the dangers of heroin, the state’s Good Samaritan law, treatment facilities
and resources for family and friends of addicts. In addition, it offered educators tool kits with similar information, encouraging them to bring the knowledge back to their school districts.
“We want to make this a lot more public, shine a spotlight on it so people will know where to get help and start the healing process,” said Grant Eckhoff, a member of the DuPage County Board and the coalition. County Coroner Richard Jorgensen said heroin is a problem all over the county and across all socioeconomic backgrounds. The only solution to the epidemic, Jorgensen said, is to change the dialogue and inform people. He has experienced the deadly impact of the drug first hand, he said, particularly on the county’s younger population.
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Cody Lewis, now a 21-yearold recovering addict, said his first experience with heroin came in high school. “I tried it, and as soon as I felt that high from the heroin, it was like a void inside me was filled up,” he said. “Something that I was looking for my entire life, I found it in that little bag.” Lewis shared his story at the first of two forums hosted by the DuPage Coalition Against Heroin on Jan. 23 at the DuPage County Administration Building in Wheaton. The coalition, led by several county government entities, presented to both local educators and residents about the growing need for educating the community – especially children – about the dangers of heroin. The effort was funded, in large part, by a recent county budget allocation of $100,000 after the toll for heroin-related deaths in the county reached a record of 46 in 2013. Of the 206 pending drug possession cases in the county, 41
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NEWS |
County coalition addresses heroin crisis with forums