How Governor Pritzker plans to tackle Illinois’ opioid crisis

Nearly 3,000 Illinois residents died of an opioid overdose in 2020.

opioid pills
Most of the funds from the settlement with manufacturers and distributors of opioids such as oxycodone will go to health care and drug treatment programs designed to ease the opioid crisis. Keith Srakocic / Associated Press
opioid pills
Most of the funds from the settlement with manufacturers and distributors of opioids such as oxycodone will go to health care and drug treatment programs designed to ease the opioid crisis. Keith Srakocic / Associated Press

How Governor Pritzker plans to tackle Illinois’ opioid crisis

Nearly 3,000 Illinois residents died of an opioid overdose in 2020.

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

Gov. JB Pritzker is pledging new resources to help fight the opioid epidemic in Illinois.

Reset takes a closer look at the state’s plans and talks to two advocates working on the ground on the West Side of Chicago.

GUESTS: David Jones, Illinois’ new chief behavioral health officer

Gail Richardson, outreach specialist at the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force

Luther Syas, director of outreach at the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force