RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PASS HOUSE BILL 2 OR SENATE BILL 78
WHEREAS, Over the past year, the opioid epidemic has taken the lives of over 2,000 people in Cook County -while these numbers are already staggering, a recent study from University of Illinois Chicago public health researchers found that opioid deaths in Cook County have been undercounted by up to 15 percent; and
WHEREAS, Every year the State, County, and City spend millions of dollars to combat opioid addiction -including treatment programs, distributing of test strips, and providing naloxone to reverse the effects of overdose - but the toll from opioid addiction has continued to increase since 2015, when there were at least 647 overdose deaths in Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Many cities around the world are establishing overdose prevention sites where individuals can test drugs before use and obtain clean needles, and staff are available to intervene and administer naloxone if an individual overdoses; and
WHEREAS, These overdose prevention sites have a proven track record of preventing fatal overdoses and reducing health care costs in Canada and Australia, and there are over 100 such sites worldwide, including two sites in New York City; and
WHEREAS, In the first two months after the New York City overdose prevention sites opened, they logged 3,316 visits and the staff intervened with life-saving naloxone administration 76 times; and
WHEREAS, These overdose prevention sites also have a proven track record of providing physical and behavioral health care, social and peer support services, and referrals onsite to treatment for people who use drugs, thereby increasing rates of healthcare engagement and substance use treatment for persons who use drugs; and
WHEREAS, In Springfield, Representative La Shawn Ford and Senators Sara Feigenholtz and Adriane Johnson have filed House Bill 2 and Senate Bill 78, respectively, to allow community based organizations and healthcare providers to operate overdose prevention sites that would be licensed by the Department of Human Services; and
WHEREAS, Under the bills, the overdose prevention sites would provide various services, including: (i) providing a hygienic space where participants may consume pre-obtained substances; (ii) maintaining a supply of naloxone and oxygen on-site; (iii) monitoring participants for potential overdose; (iv) employing staff trained to administer first aid to individuals experiencing an overdose; (v) providing fentanyl test strips and sterile hypodermic needles, and collecting and disposing of used hypodermic needles and syringes, and; (vi) providing referrals to substance abuse disorder and mental health treatment as well as education on safe consumption practices, and overdose prevention; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, do hereby call upon the Illinois General Assembly to pass House Bill 2 or Senate Bill 78; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, Senate President Don Harmon, and Governor JB Pritzker.
Alderman Anthony V. Napolitano, 41st Ward
Alderman Brendan Reilly, 42nd Ward
Alderman Michele Smith, 43rd Ward
Alderman Thomas Tunney, 44th Ward
Alderman James M. Gardiner, 45th Ward