CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A vigil in south suburban Chicago Heights Saturday paid tribute to those who have died from drug overdoses.
Parents and loved ones of people who have died from overdosing gathered to spread awareness about the issue.
As Tuesday marks International Overdose Awareness Day, Aisha Betancourt told CBS 2 that she lost her daughter, BreAna, to an overdose two years ago.
"We've always seen it with the stigma behind it and we've criminalized it. But now that it's happening to all walks of life, together we have to recognize it as a true problem in our country," Bentancourt said.
Betancourt started a support group to help other parents struggling with an overdose loss, explaining that she wants to educate people about Narcan, a drug that can save someone in the event of an opioid overdose.
According to the Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois has seen a notable increase in opioid overdoses since 2015.
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