What Drives The Pipeline Of Addicts From Puerto Rico To Chicago?

By Worldview
Two men have said that they received methadone treatment at Segunda Vida, an unlicensed drug addiction program, roughly ten years ago.
Two men have said that they received methadone treatment at Segunda Vida, an unlicensed drug addiction program, roughly ten years ago. Bill Healy / WBEZ
Two men have said that they received methadone treatment at Segunda Vida, an unlicensed drug addiction program, roughly ten years ago.
Two men have said that they received methadone treatment at Segunda Vida, an unlicensed drug addiction program, roughly ten years ago. Bill Healy / WBEZ

What Drives The Pipeline Of Addicts From Puerto Rico To Chicago?

By Worldview
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For several years, there’s been a steady flow of drug addicts, who are sent by local authorities in Puerto Rico to unlicensed rehab programs in Chicago. Many people who’ve been through these programs have alleged they were mistreated, subjected to unsafe and unsanitary living conditions and possibly identity theft.

WBEZ’s Odette Yousef has been covering this story for over a year, and joins us for an update on the story. Kari Lydersen, who traveled to Puerto Rico to report on what’s driving the pipeline, also joins us. 

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