Help save a life, remember those who’ve died from an overdose


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Celebrate “International Overdose Awareness Day” – Aug. 31 – by learning how to save someone’s life and remembering those who have died and acknowledge the grief of family and friends left behind.

It’s time to remember and time to act, says state Rep. La Shawn Ford.

The West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force, convened in 2016 by Ford, brings together community- based agencies, faith-based organizations, governmental entities, recovery groups, health care providers and persons with lived experience to confront opioid overdoses and deaths on Chicago’s West Side.

The goals of the task force:

• increase overdose response

• stronger mental and physical health

• raise awareness of the impact of drug use on individuals and the community

• increase supportive services for persons who use drugs

• integrate mental health and substance use disorder treatment and recovery

• implement a coordinated collaborative for better outcomes

Mark the occasion by joining task force and community partners at 11:00 a.m. Aug. 31 at the corner of Pulaski and Jackson, 4000 W. Jackson. For more information about the West Heroin/Opioid Task Force, contact Lee Rusch at (773) 450-1567 or Luther Syas at (773) 230-7281. Or email westsidetaskforce@yahoo.com.

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