Elmhurst COMMISSION ON YOUTH TO PRESENT HEROIN FORUM NOVEMBER 10

Heroin addiction and related deaths are increasing to epidemic levels, with usage trajectories spanning all ages, races and socio-economic backgrounds. In response to this growing scourge, the City of Elmhurst’s Commission on Youth will present a community education forum, “The New Face of Heroin, It’s Not What You Think,” on Monday, November 10, from 7-9 p.m. at Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, 395 Lake Street, Elmhurst.

DuPage County Coroner Dr. Richard Jorgensen, a former trauma surgeon for 20 years, took office in late 2012 and quickly became alarmed at the number of heroin-related deaths. There were 38 such deaths in 2012 and 46 in 2013, with victims ranging in age from their 20s through their 60s.

“Heroin is a totally different drug than all of the other illegal drugs. It is highly addictive and highly destructive - and that occurs in every person who’s addicted to heroin. There are no casual users or abusers. It takes over your life and destroys your life,” Dr. Jorgensen recently told the Daily Herald. He is on a mission to spread the word that this epidemic spans all ages, all races and all socio-economic backgrounds.

Featured speakers will be DuPage County Coroner Dr. Richard Jorgensen, along with Matt Quinn, MA, LCPC, CADC, of the new Elmhurst Hospital Adolescent Mental Health Outpatient Program and Corey Worden, MA, LCPC, CADC, of Linden Oaks at Edward.

Learn what’s driving the heroin epidemic and what you can do about it. Discussion will focus on:

·         The production, distribution and demographics of heroin use and abuse in DuPage County

·         The physiology, short- and long-term effects of heroin addiction

·         Narcan treatment protocols and how they have saved lives

·         What lies beneath this growing problem - a substance abuse epidemic

·         Practical things that YOU can do - tips, ideas, resources for help

This program is free and open to the public. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are appreciated, so that adequate seating is available for all. To make a reservation, please call (630) 530-3010 or visit http://tinyurl.com/HeroinForum111014 by Friday, November 7.