'Alarming Rise' in Heroin Use Prompts Nov. 14 Public Meeting

Editor's note: The following is a press release from Valley View School District 365U.

With heroin use among suburban youths and young adults reaching epidemic proportions, Will County Heroin Education Leads to Preventative Solutions (HELPS), Valley View School District 365U and the Romeoville Police Department will host a Town Hall meeting Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Romeoville High School to launch a critical community-wide discussion about preventing senseless tragedies linked to the dangerous drug.

“Many, many young people are attracted to this drug these days because it’s cheap and readily available,” said Romeoville Chief of Police Mark Turvey.

“What they don’t realize is this is a dangerous drug. Several young people in the Bolingbrook and Romeoville areas have already lost their lives in the past two months because of heroin overdoses.”

The community forum, which begins at 7 p.m., will feature a variety of experts discussing the heroin problem and possible solutions. Attendees will have an opportunity to relate personal experiences, ask questions, and seek answers.

Among scheduled panel members: Will County Executive Larry Walsh, Will County States Attorney James Glasgow, Will County Associate Judge Ray Nash, Dr. Joe Troiani of the Will County Health Department, Kathleen Burke of the Robert Crown Center for Health Education, Heroin Epidemic Relief Organization (HERO) co-founder John Roberts and VVSD mom Ana Ibarra.

A community resource fair staffed by local treatment providers, churches and the medical community will be held at 6 p.m. prior to the Town Hall meeting.

“This forum isn’t just for people whose lives have been touched by drug abuse,” said VVSD Superintendent Dr. James Mitchem. “Every family needs to know about the dangers of heroin. It is imperative that we start talking about this alarming increase in the use of this drug right now by getting the word out to as many people as we possibly can.”

No reservations are necessary for the Town Hall meeting.

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