Davis: Money Needed to Help Drug Addicts

Davis: Money Needed to Help Drug Addicts

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U.S. Representative Danny Davis (D-Ill.) is calling for 4 million dollars in emergency funds to combat the growing drug problem in Cook County.

Davis says the money will be used to treat about 600 county heroin addicts waiting for methadone treatment.

“If a person decides today that they’re ready for treatment, and they’re told they’re gonna have to wait 30 days or 60 days, by the time 60 days roll around, they might have changed their mind,” Davis remarked.

According to the Cook County Bureau of Health Services, only 18% of residents who seek treatment for heroin addiction receive it.

On average, they have to wait over two weeks for treatment to begin.

Davis says the entire Illinois congressional delegation has decided to make the drug issue a priority.