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| Tim Ryan, Dr. Judith Grisel, GW parent Malia Hoffman and State's Attorney Robert Berlin |
Glenbard West parent Malia Hoffman parent shared this takeaway:
Among today’s drugs, opioids get a lot of attention because of associated mortality (98 deaths last year in DuPage County) new concern about the synthetic fentanyl, and crime rates, but alcohol and marijuana are NOT innocent by-standers. All classes of drugs are extremely threatening to the brain because they attach to the brain’s receptors, altering its structure, sometimes permanently and even after a single or limited use. Dr. Grisel discussed that the brain’s automation response to drug stimulus is to DO EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE to counter-balance the drug’s chemical effects-substances used with the intent to relax actually result in anxiety and insomnia, and substances used to create arousal and “a high” actually result in depression and lethargy. Not only are drug users not getting the results they seek, but with continued use, tolerance levels increase, driving the user toward ever higher doses. Our county is trying to make a push for treatment over jail offenders - all seen by the same judge, with the objective of getting treatment, getting the case dismissed, and their records expunged. . There is a 30% recidivism rate for those that are sent to jail, but only 8% that are sent to treatment. Reach out with concerns, help is available.
Takeaway from Sam Reif, Licensed Professional Counselor, Reif Behavioral Solutions LLC:
- DuPage Co. is trying to make a push for treatment over jail. There is a 30% recidivism rate for those that are sent to jail, but only 8% that are sent to treatment. This affects us all, because it costs $30,000 a year to incarcerate someone, and obviously much less to treat someone (particularly because the expectation is that they are in and out of treatment in a much shorter period of time). I am filling in the detail that he didn't give there... ;)
- The primary drug problem in DuPage Co. are opioids. 70% of offenders in our drug courts are addicted to opiods. In addition, most burglaries, thefts and robberies, often have an associated addiction issue that serves as the motive.
- We have a program for first time offenders called FOCUS in which offenders are all seen by the same judge, with the objective of getting treatment, getting the case dismissed, and their records expunged. There are currently 500 FOCUS cases.
- In DuPage Co. we had 98 heroin deaths last year, and 550 narcan saves. 65% of these deaths were fentany or fentany/heroin combinations. You never know what street drugs might be laced with fentanyl. It has been found in many places.
- DUI's were down 38% last year which was great news, and DUI's in the 16-21 age group is very low. Kids are getting the message to not drive while under the influence.
For more information see below or go to http://www.glenbardgps.org/event/stories-of-hope/ for area resources showcased that night.
Resources
DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team web site: dupageplt.org
Man In Reccovery web site: amirf.org Tim Ryan's email: amaninrecovery@gmail.com
Northwestern Medicine Behavioral Health web site: Nm.org/behavioralhealth
Rosecrance web site: rosecrance.org Matt Quinn's emal: mquinn@rosecrance.org
Robert Crown Center for Health web site: robertcrown.org email: info@robertcrown.org
Professor Judith Grisel presentation slides from this event (GPS 4/4/9) HERE
NPR interview with Judith Grisel (2/12/19) HERE
Family Action Network YouTube: Judith Grisel, Ph.D.: "Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction" (02/25/19)
Positive Alternatives Podcast (4/5/19) Doug Petit of Parents and Teens Together interviews Tim Ryan