Illinois bill could help people with opioid addiction disorder

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — An Illinois bill could change harm reduction strategies across the state to help those addicted to opioids.

The proposal would change homeless shelter rules. Any shelter that receives state funds would not be able to kick somebody out on the sole basis of a drug sobriety rule.

State Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, who is championing this bill, said Illinois needs to move away from further criminalizing people with opioid addiction disorder.

“Drug use, misuse, addiction, it is a health issue,” the Chicago Democrat said. “It is a health issue, and it requires a health care approach and in fact, that’s what the research and data shows.”

In Peoria, a harm reduction non-profit organization named JOLT helps people in the community who use opioids or those suffering from an opioid addiction.

They hand out clean syringes and Naloxone, an opioid antagonist that, if given to someone dying of an overdose, could save their life.

JOLT’s Executive Director Chris Schnaffer said the removal of the sobriety rule will make it easier on those suffering the most.

“What we find is that when people are not housed, they’re in survival mode and so they’re not thinking about planning ahead and [thinking] how do I get out of this poverty that I find myself in?” Schnaffer said.

The proposal would also change how the correctional system supports those with an opioid addiction.

It would require prison and jail staff to have Naloxone readily available. It would also require correctional facilities to give out opioid use disorder medication.

“They’re put in jail or a prison and they go through these really inhumane suffering withdrawal symptoms without any medication to alleviate those or to help them manage those withdrawals,” Schnaffer said.

He also said harm reduction strategies can save taxpayer money. These strategies reduce overdoses, which then don’t require a response from hospitals or the police, which saves taxpayer money.

Since the plan was introduced late in the Spring session, it was never brought to a committee. LaPointe hopes she can continue discussions over this year to get a vote on the bill by next Spring’s session.