Stemming the tide of opioid addiction in Central Illinois takes that person-to-person connection, a realization that substance abuse disorder can happen to anyone—a child, a sibling, a spouse, a colleague or a loved one. Anyone who rides a bike, drives a car, plays a sport and has an accident could be prescribed opioids to manage pain, potentially opening the door for addiction.
Not everyone who takes opioids for prescribed pain management becomes dependent or develops an addiction to them. But when opioids are taken for a while, they can change the way the brain functions—igniting a medical condition that alters how the person deals with factors like stress and self-control.
"We're talking about human beings, not the dregs of society," said Joan Thome, Director of Health Education at the Sangamon County Department of Public Health. "We know that substance abuse changes the brain and that they’re not the same person."
'Don't give up on people'
The problem is a serious one. Since 2013, the number of deaths in Illinois due to synthetic opioids has increased by 3,341%. In Sangamon County, overdose deaths have increased every year since 2019, and nearly half of all accidental overdose deaths were identified with fentanyl as a contributing factor. Complicating the issue is that the exact cause of substance use disorder isn't known; a person's genes, emotional distress, anxiety, depression and environmental stresses can all be factors.
"Everybody is different in terms of their predisposition for addiction and dependence," Thome said. Heightening the concern is the uncertain content of street drugs, which those in the throes of addiction may seek out once they're unable to procure prescription pills. Those made-at-home drugs can be constructed to look much like the real things, right down to identification numbers, colors and cut lines. But they can be bulked up with anything—from talcum powder and crushed-up aspirin to rat poison and fentanyl.
Even children can be at risk. "We're finding that young people, they experiment," Thome said. "And even in middle school, you can have kids who start drugs at very early age."
Naloxone and Narcan nasal spray in the emergency overdose kit bag used for recovery from narcotic opioid medications or street drugs overdose: Toronto, Ontario, Canada - March 23, 2024
All of this magnifies the importance of carrying naloxone, an easy-to-use and fast-acting medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose for 30 to 60 minutes—enough time to revive the person, call 911, and potentially get them headed toward treatment. Naloxone available for free at the Sangamon County Department of Public Health, as well as Phoenix Center Springfield, the Cass County Health Department and the Macon County Health Department.
Illinois law allows anyone to carry and administer naloxone without fear of legal or civil issues, even if the person overdosing passes away. Ultimately, it comes down to casting aside the stigmas and preconceived notions too often associated with opioid abuse and naloxone and being prepared to potentially help people in distress—people who could be members of your own family.
"Anywhere that I've gone to do a presentation, I've had a mom, or somebody come to me and say, 'Thank you for humanizing this because I have a sister who died of an overdose last year,' or 'I have got a daughter or son who is currently in rehab.' “The average number of recovery attempts is about 8 before people are successful" Thome said. "So, we don't want to give up on people."
'So many success stories'
"I have seen so many success stories," said Thome. "I have friends who still use, I have friends who died, I have friends still trying recovery over and over again, and I know people who have recovered successfully. They're always in recovery, but they have gotten their children back; they have gotten jobs. They're productive members of society, and you wouldn't know that they had a substance use issue previously. If you can give somebody an extra chance, a second chance, a third chance, a 10th chance to be alive and maybe do something a little bit better in their life, I think that's a success."
Are you interested in more information on naloxone? Contact the Sangamon County Department of Public Health at (217) 535-3100, or visit their website
