Donation Equips Lake County First Responders with Life-Saving Overdose Antidotes

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For Immediate Release
Date: October 28, 2016
Contact: Leslie Piotrowski
(847) 377-8055
Hannah Goering
(847) 377-8099

Donation Equips Lake County First Responders with Life-Saving Overdose Antidotes

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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Lake County Health Department
3010 Grand Avenue
Waukegan, Illinois 60085
(847) 377-8000