State's Atty. Addresses Heroin Problem in the Suburbs at La Grange Kiwanis Meeting

From the Kiwanis Club of La Grange: 

The Kiwanis Club of La Grange welcomed DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin to their meeting on November 7 to discuss the escalating use of heroin in the suburbs.

According to Berlin, there have been 42 heroin overdose deaths in Du Page County so far this year. In contrast, there were 27 heroin overdose deaths in 2011. Users no longer have to inject heroin with a needle, and a hit only costs $10.

Berlin said users often being their addiction with prescription drugs, such as Vicodin or Oxycontin. When they cannot obtain the drugs, they turn to heroin. A person who is prescribed these drugs may receive 30 pills, but only use four or five. The rest end up in the medicine cabinet for easy access.

In the past, users were automatically incarcerated, but Berlin noted that the criminal justice system is not designed to deal with drug addicts. Therefore, Du Page and Cook counties have established drug courts to deal with nonviolent users. When they complete the mandatory rehab program, the felony will be removed from their record.

Berlin said that his office is working to decrease demand by providing treatment for users and educating the public.

Founded in 1915, Kiwanis International is a global organization of clubs and members dedicated to serving the children of the world. Kiwanis and its family of clubs dedicate annually more than 18 million service hours to strengthen communities and serve children. For more information about Kiwanis International, please visit www.kiwanis.org.