The Mayor’s Community Coalition Against Heroin in Peoria hosted the first of two public forums Tuesday night. The civic and law enforcement team that initiated Peoria’ Don’t Shoot Program is expanding its focus to what is being called a national heroin epidemic.
Peoria Mayor Ardis says the conversation among mayors around the country is communities the need more treatment options. He says that is still the missing part of the equation. “And that takes money and everybody knows there isn’t much money. So are we chasing our tails? Maybe. But what we really want to do is ask the community for their help, listen to the discussion, understand the discussion and expand the discussion,” Ardis said.
The Mayor’s Coalition includes Peoria Police Chief Jerry Mitchell, Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy, U.S. Attorney Jim Lewis and Peoria County State’s Attorney Jerry Brady.
Brady says law enforcement cannot prosecute its way out of what is best described as a community health problem. He says the help of the medical community is also necessary to reach out to those who are addicted. But he says the biggest problem is still the lack of treatment options.
“We simply don’t have enough treatment facilities. Last time I checked there was about a six person wait on men and four person wait on women," Brady said. "So it is simply a situation that reaches everyone.”
Brady says the coalition hopes to provide awareness and education, if not the addition of more addiction treatment.
To that end, Congressman Darin LaHood also attended the last half of the forum. He says the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act that passed the U.S. House last week is on its way to the President's desk for signature. He says that will mean an infusion of $561 million into national efforts at expanding opioid and heroin treatment options.
The second Mayor’s Community Coalition Against Heroin public forum next Monday night at St. Paul Baptist Church at the corner of Forrest Hill and Knoxville.
Sam Quinones, the author of the community reading assignment, "Dream Land: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic" visits Peoria August 16th.
There is also a community summit scheduled for August 31st at the Peoria Civic Center.