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For Immediate Release Date: October 28, 2016 Contact: Leslie Piotrowski (847) 377-8055 Hannah Goering (847) 377-8099
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Waukegan, Ill. – In October, the Lake
County Health Department distributed nearly 1,000 doses of naloxone opioid
antidotes to Lake County first responders, thanks to a generous contribution
from the Jordan Michael Filler Foundation (JMFF) of Highland Park. As reports
of opioid overdoses have surged in recent months, the foundation’s gift equipped
Lake County law enforcement officials with life-saving medications at a time when
supplies were low.
“The
Jordan Michael Filler Foundation is proud to support the important work of the
Lake County Health Department and first responders whose efforts have already
saved 118 lives by administering the overdose antidote naloxone,” shared
Mark Filler, JMFF’s founder. “When we learned that Lake County was nearing the
end of its initial supply of naloxone, we swiftly donated 1000 doses of the new
naloxone nasal spray, putting them in the hands of first responders throughout
the county. Working together, we can save lives.”
In
an effort to encourage others to join in the fight, JMFF has pledged an
additional $25,000 in matching funds to purchase more naloxone kits for Lake
County first responders. For each donation the Filler Foundation receives on
its website, http://www.jordanfiller.org, a 100% matching gift will
be made and additional doses of naloxone will be purchased.
“Collaboration
with community partners like the Filler Foundation helps us address the growing
problem of opioid addiction and overdose in Lake County,” said Mark Pfister,
the Health Department’s Interim Executive Director. “This matching gift will
ensure our law enforcement officials on the front lines can continue in their valiant
efforts to save Lake County residents from opioid overdoses.”
Naloxone
counteracts the effects of an overdose from opioid drugs like OxyContin,
Vicodin or heroin within seconds, allowing the overdose victim to breathe
normally. According to the Health Department’s Naloxone Program Coordinator Martin
Clancy, having more naloxone kits can mean the difference between life and
death for an overdose victim. For this reason, first responders have widely
embraced the use of naloxone.
"When
it comes to saving someone's daughter, son, mother or father from an overdose,
time is everything,” shared Mundelein Police Department Chief Eric Guenther.
“Putting naloxone in the hands of law enforcement officers gives us the best
chance to save that life.”
The
Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center offers a variety of
programs that address substance abuse among underserved populations in Lake
County. These programs focus on prevention, training law enforcement officials
and other county partners on use of naloxone and Medication-Assisted Treatment
options, and provide outpatient recovery services, counseling and behavioral
therapy. For more information, visit http://www.lakecountyil.gov/health. The Health Department’s
Law Enforcement Naloxone Program was established in conjunction with the Lake
County Opioid Initiative, a group of local stakeholders committed to develop a
comprehensive opioid prevention strategy for Lake County.
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