(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — After settling several national lawsuits with pharmaceutical manufacturers, including Johnson & Johnson, Illinois is expected to receive roughly $760 million over the next two decades.
The money will go toward opioid remediation and prevention efforts.
Law enforcement leaders across Illinois feel a portion of those resources should be committed to birth-to-3 initiatives, which focus on helping the youngest and most vulnerable victims of the opioid epidemic.
“We know from research that kids who grew up in homes with opioid addicted parents are more likely to face mental health struggles and suffer abuse,” said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin. “They're more likely to face substance abuse themselves, and to become involved with crime as they grow up.”
Related
Berlin is one of more than a hundred Illinois prosecutors, sheriffs, and police chiefs who have joined a public statement from a statewide law enforcement organization called Fight Crime, in which they said voluntary home-visiting programs should be prioritized when Illinois decides how to spend its settlement funds.
The home-visiting initiatives work with new and expecting parents to support the healthy development of infants and toddlers from birth to age 3.
“The programs we are talking about today are backed by clear data and research,” said Rock Island County State’s Attorney Dora Villarreal. “If we want to see significant improvements in public safety, we have to look at evidence about what works best, and act accordingly.”
Part of Illinois’ opioid settlement agreement also includes the approved use of funds to address babies born with opioid withdrawal, or neonatal abstinence syndrome.
“As the adoptive parents of a child who was born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, my wife and I personally know just how significant the toll of opioid addiction can be on infants and toddlers,” added Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley. “Young people born to addicted parents, like my adopted daughter, need support to ensure they can grow up to be healthy and successful.”
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is establishing a state advisory council that will consist of experts with experience addressing opioid use and addiction to determine the best use of funding.
Related
Related
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!