THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE STORY BY JENNIFER BAILEY
ABOVE: Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden speaks during 2023 Veterans Day ceremony.
Vermilion County saw 31 drug overdose deaths in 2023, and as of July, it’s seen 23 since the start of 2024.
With International Overdose Awareness Day on Saturday, community members continue to spread information about services to help the public.
Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden said two of this year’s drug overdoses were suicides, and 11 of them did not include an opioid. The remaining 12 were all fentanyl related.
Opioids are a class of drugs that include synthetic opioids such as fentanyl; pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine and morphine; heroin; and many others, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
McFadden said her office is now also noting the overdose deaths of veterans. Four of the drug overdose deaths this year were veterans. One was a suicide.
“Hopefully it slows down,” she said of this year’s numbers.
McFadden is glad to see more and more efforts trying to prevent overdose deaths through awareness, education and support. Two events are from noon to 3 p.m. today (Aug 29th) at the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System in Danville and from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Danville Public Library to address International Overdose Awareness Day.
The VA’s event will be open to veterans and staff at Building 98’s main entrance. There will be a memorial observation, food and resources.
International Overdose Awareness Day seeks to create better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths and create change that reduces the harm associated with drug use, according to the VA. It’s also a time to come together to remember those who have died or suffered permanent injury due to drug overdose, officials state.
The event at the Danville library, 319 N. Vermilion St., is sponsored by the Vermilion County ROSC (Recovery Oriented System of Care) Council. Organizers encourage the public to wear purple, symbolizing recovery. The public at the event can learn how to save a life with free Narcan and training. Attendees can share words of hope with rock painting and learn more about community resources.
Carle Health’s vanCarle’s new “Recovery is for Everyone” van made its debut at Heavenly Square Grocery’s official grand opening earlier this month and will be making its way throughout Vermilion County.
The teal-colored van is to support the needs of anyone facing mental-health or substance-misuse challenges. Clinically trained experts will offer harm-reduction and treatment resources to meet community members where they are and reduce stigma related to substance misuse and mental health, according to Carle officials.
“The mobile unit is a vehicle to carry this message in a meaningful way,” said David King, community outreach managera at the Carle Addiction Recovery Center.
Community Health Initiatives and Behavioral Health at Carle made the van a reality thanks to the Vermilion County Community Health Collaborative, which received a grant from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
Carle Behavioral Health Executive Director Heather Hintz said the goal is for the van to eventually be out five days a week with the addition of a medical team working alongside peer recovery specialists. The team plans to provide resources such as hygiene kits, pouches for individuals to discard medication they no longer need and Narcan/naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses for van visitors to take home.
The “Recovery is for Everyone” van is designed to give those who need help a new way to receive information and resources for themselves or a loved one struggling with substance misuse or in need of mental healthcare, Hintz said.
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