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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION URGING COOK COUNTY FIRST RESPONDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS TO TRAIN AND EQUIP THEIR PERSONNEL WITH NALOXONE
WHEREAS, the use of heroin and the abuse of prescription opioids has been detrimental to the public health of Cook County. In 2013, opioid abuse has led to 383 deaths in Cook County. Of these deaths, 234 were related to heroin overdoses; and
WHEREAS, heroin is a highly addictive and deadly drug and is the most abused opiate in the Chicago area. In 2010, Chicago metropolitan hospitals recorded 24,360 admissions where heroin use was mentioned as a contributing factor. New York ranked second with 12,226 heroin mentions in a five-borough analysis during the same period; and
WHEREAS, according to U.S. Senator Mark Kirk's October 6, 2014 press release, "Kirk Launches Suburban Anti-Heroin Task Force," 390 people have died as a result of heroin overdoses in Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, Kendall, and Will County, since 2012; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that in Chicago in 2009, opioid misuse and abuse resulted in 1,080 emergency room visits; and
WHEREAS, it is reported that 2.4 million people nation-wide are addicted to opiates. The 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, found that heroin use increased by 67.3% from 2002 to 2012 among persons aged 12 years and older; and
WHEREAS, the administration of the life-saving drug naloxone can successfully reverse the effects of opioid overdose and save lives; and
WHEREAS, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has urged federal law enforcement agencies to train and equip personnel who might interact with heroin overdose victims with naloxone; and
WHEREAS, U.S. Senator Mark Kirk has launched an Anti-Heroin Taskforce, comprised of State's Attorneys and Coroners from Cook, Lake, DuPage, Will, McHenry, Kendall and Kane counties, to raise awareness of the risk of heroin and prescription drug abuse; and
WHEREAS, first responders, law enforcement, and healthcare members have been trained and equipped with naloxone in the surrounding counties of DuPage, Kane, Lake and Will. Many responders having successfully administered the drug, saving numerous lives; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Cook County Board of Commissioners support Senator Kirk's efforts and encourage first responders, law enforcement, and healthcare professionals in the County of Cook to train and equip their members with naloxone, as soon as possible, in order for them to save individuals at risk of opioid overdose.
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