COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER MONICA GORDON TO BE JOINED BY PACE OFFICIALS, HEALTH OFFICIALS, SOUTHLAND ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND IN INTRODUCING NEW METHOD TO COMBAT THE ALARMING OPIOID CRISIS IN SOUTHERN COO

Commissioner Monica Gordon, photo provided by STH Media LLC.
Commissioner Monica Gordon, photo provided by STH Media LLC.

COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER MONICA GORDON TO BE JOINED BY PACE OFFICIALS, HEALTH OFFICIALS, SOUTHLAND ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND IN INTRODUCING NEW METHOD TO COMBAT THE ALARMING OPIOID CRISIS IN SOUTHERN COOK COUNTY


POPULAR COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION PARTNERS WITH THE PACE BUS COMPANY IN INTRODUCING ALL NEW OVERDOSE PREVENTION VENDING MACHINES

 

CONCEPT TO DEBUT AT THE PACE TERMINAL IN HARVEY, ILLINOIS

 

“THESE NUMBERS ARE TROUBLING AND UNFORTUNATELY REFLECT RACIAL INEQUITIES”


 ALARMING INCREASE IN THE OPIOID CRISIS THAT IS NOW HAVING DIRE IMPACTS THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHLAND

(Harvey, Il,) Monica Gordon-Cook County Commissioner of the 5th District and Ronald J. Vlasaty Jr-COO of Family Guidance. Centers, Inc (FGC)- will be joined by Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer, PACE Bus Officials, various Southland Elected Officials, Civic Leaders, and community leaders in officially presenting to Cook County an all-new grant funded concept created to assist in reversing the alarming opioid crisis that has negatively impacted the Chicagoland Metropolitan area

The recent Mobile Overdose Prevention Outreach Unit will now be aided by the all-new vending machines which the Pace Bus organization has approved to be placed at its Harvey Bus Terminal.

 

The vending machine program is funded by the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) through the Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The vending machines, along with the current mobile unit, will provide harm reduction supplies that are FDA-approved to reverse an opioid overdose.

The need for overdose prevention resources on the far southside and south suburbs of Chicago is dire. During Illinois’ COVID-19 stay-at-home order from 03/21/2020 through 05/29/2020, there were 122 opioid overdose deaths in southern Cook County alone, which was an 82% increase over the comparable dates of 2019. There were 487 opioid overdose deaths in SCC in 2020, 83.2% of which involved fentanyl. From 2016-2020, there were 1,885 opioid overdose deaths in cook county. FGC will address the alarming increase in opioid-involved overdose deaths throughout many communities of the far southside during COVID-19 by providing community-based services to both groups and individuals where they are, even if they are not yet ready to seek treatment.

“The continued increases in overdose deaths and recent declines in life expectancy throughout the far southside and southern Cook County justifies our mission in these comprehensive public and private health approaches to combating this current opioid crisis. The vending machines will offer every facet of support, FDA approved supplies, and information in reducing the enormous increase we have witnessed throughout the southland.” says FGC COO Ron Vlasaty.

Last year the FGC’s mobile unit began distributing overdose prevention kits and conducted training on the administration of naloxone and the use of fentanyl strips for churches, healthcare providers and other community groups. Over the four years of CCDPH funding, FGC plans to provide over 20,000 overdose prevention kits to residents in various regions of Cook County. The vending machines are expected to offer a big assist in reducing the alarming numbers of overdose victims that have frightened many families.

“This new method is truly needed, and it speaks volumes to how private and public partnerships can truly produce positive results that will offer the type of relief that thousands of families have needed in assisting their loved ones through the opioid crisis. I am grateful to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, my colleagues on the Cook County Board of Commissioners, FGC, PACE, and the outstanding leaders of the Cook County Department of Public Health. This is a team effort that will produce sound results.” says Cook County Commissioner Monic Gordon

FGC COO Ron Vlasaty adds, “The amount of work that went into making this a reality was endless. We are grateful to our partners at PACE and the Cook County Department of Public Health for their continued support of our agency. Moreover, we are extremely fortunate to have the support of President Preckwinkle, Commissioner Gordon and the full Cook County Board of Commissioners who share in our vision of providing best in class services to support people who are challenged in behavioral health and substance abuse.”

Founded in 1969, Family Guidance Centers, Inc. is a community-based not-for-profit behavioral healthcare organization with locations across the state, including a substance use treatment center located in Harvey. FGC’s mission is to prevent and treat substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, as well as to help individuals connect with primary health care and services to address the social determinants of health.

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