Manley Legislation Creates Youth Task Force to Tackle Heroin Epidemic

Legislation to address what health officials call a "heroin epidemic" in Illinois
high schools passed both chambers of the Illinois House Wednesday.

The bill was chief co-sponsored by state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet. 

“This bill will provide an opportunity for local communities to develop methods to combat usage in high schools, and educate our children about the harmful, life-threatening consequences of heroin,” Manley said. 

“In order to make the most impact, we must possess a strong understanding of the problem, educate the public on the issue, and work together for the benefit of our area’s safety and well-being. I also urge the task force to expand their research when needed, to study if any problems surface during middle school, not just high school.”  

House Bill 946 creates the Young Adults Heroin Use Task Force to diagnose the heroin use problem in high schools and suggest programs aimed at curbing usage. Over the past year, several Illinois lawmakers have held community forums about the increase in heroin usage and deaths in Will County. 

Romeoville High School graduate Juan Ibarra died last August following a heroin overdose in his home. He was 18. 

“The passing of this bill to establish a heroin prevention education program in schools across Illinois is critical in protecting the health and welfare of our next generation,” Will County Executive Larry Walsh said. 

“I am so pleased Representative Natalie Manley has taken the lead in moving this bill through the legislature in such an expeditious manner.”

Supporters of the task force also include the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association, and the Robert Crown Center for Health Education, which is an organization that implements programs in Will County schools to teach students about drug risks. 

“We applaud lawmakers, and specifically Rep. Natalie Manley, for creating this task force,” 

Kathleen Burke, CEO of Robert Crown Center for Health Education said, “We believe that as a community, we can adopt effective primary prevention strategies to reduce the hold heroin has on our young people and guarantee a healthier future for Illinois students and their families.”