CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- DuPage County is working with some local manufacturers to help people recovering from opioid addictions find meaningful work. And all involved said it is working.
DuPage County board member Greg Hart, spearheading the effort, said people are more likely to overcome substance abuse problems if they are employed; but some have trouble finding jobs because their records.
"There is already vacancies in a lot of our employers that are focusing on manufacturing. So one of the great things is it is kind of a symbiotic relationship," he said.
The pilot program called RAMP-UP connects participants with manufacturing companies, like Diamond Envelope in Aurora.
"I did not want to live that type of life. That is not what I wanted for myself. And that's pretty much what drives me," Maley said. "I still carry my homeless ID in my wallet to this date to remind me of how close that is."
Maley is a few weeks into the job and his employers are clearly impressed with his drive.