AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/heroin/)
A new state law protects a person who provides emergency medical assistance to someone who’s experiencing an overdose. A Good Samaritan in these cases cannot be arrested, charged or prosecuted for drug violations. State Rep. La Shawn Ford lauds the new law, noting more Good Samaritans are needed to give naloxone, the medication used to reverse an overdose.
The Chicago Police Department has expanded its narcotics arrest diversion program to the 15th District in Austin. It helps individuals apprehended for opioid-related offenses by allowing them to seek treatment when they’re arrested.
The West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. March 6 at Lawndale Christian Health Center, 4750 W. Ogden Ave. State Rep. La Shawn Ford chairs the task force, which will be honoring the memory of those who’ve died from a drug overdose.
Free packets of naxolone were distributed at an event held Monday at The Loretto Hospital to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The drug has saved many people from dying of a drug overdose.
On the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti and state Rep. La Shawn Ford discussed the ongoing epidemic, which has hit Austin and other parts of Chicago’s West Side especially hard.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford, Loretto Hospital, the West Side Heroin Task Force and Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti are hosting a breakfast April 4th, 50 years after the civil rights leader was assassinated. Fighting the West Side’s heroin epidemic will be the focus of this morning’s event. Then at 12:30 there will be a wreath laying at the corner of 4800 W. Chicago Ave.
West Side residents can take action to protect their friends, family and neighbors from this sweeping problem that’s more deadly than gun violence and motor accidents.
The Heroin Task Force will hold a town hall meeting Oct. 26 at Loretto Hospital.
Several residents share the stories of friends and loved ones who’ve struggled with drug addiction.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford and others are pushing for more funding for treatment rather than incarcerating addicts caught with low amounts of the drug.