Opioid Overdose Prevention Project

Opioid overdoses in Oak Park:

*Fewer than five overdoses

In 2022, 151 people in Oak Park experienced an opioid overdose. That means that someone in Oak Park overdoses due to opioid use almost every other day. In 2019, 10.1 million U.S. residents (3.7% of the population) reported nonmedical use of an opioid. Of those, the majority reported misusing prescription opioids.

Any opioid use, including opioids prescribed by a medical provider, puts individuals at risk of accidental overdose and developing opioid use disorder. Common prescription opioids include: hydrocodone (Vicodin®), oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet®), oxymorphone (Opana®), morphine (Kadian®, Avinza®), and codeine.

It’s important to overcome the stigma around opioid use so we can openly speak about it with our friends and family and increase the number of people who have naloxone and know how to use it.

How to provide first aid to overdose victim

• Spectrum Health – how to use Narcan
• Identifying an Overdose and Using Narcan

Training-of-Trainers

The Village of Oak Park Health Department is partnering with Live4Lali to provide free effective, high-quality training in Oak Park on using naloxone to save the life of someone who is experiencing an opioid overdose. Once a team of Oak Park residents has been trained, these individuals will be available to provide quick trainings to other residents who want to learn how to identify opioid overdose and administer naloxone when needed.

Upcoming in-person, free training events

Information about additional training events will be posted here as it becomes available.

If you would like to receive training, contact the Oak Park Health Department at health@oak-park.us or 708.358.5480.

Click here for answers to frequently asked questions about the naloxone project

The Opioid Overdose Prevention Project would not be possible without the work of many community members and partners. The Public Health Department would like to thank the following organizations and individuals for dedicating their time, expertise and resources to this effort:

Community Partners

• Live4 Lali
• The Oak Park Public Library
• The Oak Park Township
• The Park District of Oak Park

Acknowledgements

• Sheila Haennicke, for creating a video to share her son’s story
• Lesa Kiefer, for donating her time and the supplies to create the waterproof custom lettering for the exterior of all of the boxes
• The King Crimson Men’s Group, for volunteering their time to stuff more than 200 opioid overdose prevention kits, which include Naloxone nasal spray, instructions for use, fentanyl test strips and recovery resources.
• Dr. Sophia Peng, for creating a video to educate viewers on substance use disorder and connecting Health Department staff to resources
• Juan Perez, for assisting with translating project materials into Spanish

Find help for opioid use disorder

Helpline Illinois

Call, text, or chat with Helpline Illinois 24 hours a day and ask for MAR NOW. MAR stands for medication assisted recovery. The Helpline will connect you with a care manager who will quickly and without judgement link you to care and recovery services.

Chicago-Area Organizations

Chicago Recovery Alliance
Live4Lali
West Side Task Force
Overcome Opioids Chicago
Cook County Department of Public Health

State and National Organizations

Opioid Overdose Response (Illinois Department of Public Health)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Food and Drug Administration
American Medical Association
American Public Health Association
American Pharmacists Association
Red Cross