Earlier this month, Governor Rauner and members of the Opioid Overdose Intervention and Prevention Task Force launched a statewide Helpline to provide immediate assistance for those affected by addiction to opioids and other substances.

The Helpline will provide a confidential outlet for individuals experiencing opioid use disorders, their families and anyone affected by the disease 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Helpline specialists are trained in evidence-based approaches to help connect callers with treatment and recovery-support services.

IDPH data show opioid overdoses killed 1,946 people in Illinois in 2016 - more than one and a half times the number of homicides and nearly twice the number of fatal motor vehicle accidents. In addition, data from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) estimate that nearly 248,000 IL residents need, but do not receive, treatment for illicit drug use.

The Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances is funded by the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Opioid State Targeted Response grant is administered by the IDHS Division of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse.

If you or someone you know is experiencing opioid use disorder, call 1-833-2FINDHELP.