Events across the state and a city skyline lit purple will raise awareness for substance use disorders and celebrate recovery in Illinois
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is raising awareness for substance use disorders and partnering with providers across the state to recognize September as Recovery Month. In addition, Governor JB Pritzker proclaimed September to be Recovery Month in Illinois.
This year IDHS is adopting the message “Recovery Belongs” to push back against stigma and promote the inclusion of recovery in communities and the continuum of healthcare services. The #RecoveryBelongs social media campaign kicked off on Aug. 31, International Overdose Awareness Day. Awareness events across the state include free overdose response trainings, a candlelit vigil, resource fairs, a balloon launch, and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. A full list of Recovery Monthevents can be found on the IDHS website. Buildings in the city of Chicago will also be lit purple this weekend to celebrate recovery.
“In 2018, over 2,000 people died from an opioid overdose in Illinois. Although we’re seeing some positive trends resulting from our prevention and recoverystrategies, we need to continue to fight against this disease as aggressively as possible,” said IDHS Secretary Grace B. Hou. “National Recovery Month is an opportunity for individuals and groups across the state to come together and raise awareness for substance use disorders, celebrate individuals in long-term recovery, and acknowledge the work of prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. We would like to thank our community partners for hosting events this month, and the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago for lighting their buildings up purple to raise awareness.”
The IDHS Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) continues to implement strategies targeted at reducing the effects of substance use disorders in Illinois. Since 2015, over 40,000 people in Illinois have been trained to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose through the Drug Overdose Prevention Program (DOPP) and groups enrolled in the program have been responsible for over 3,000 overdose reversals. In FY18 alone, SUPR also funded treatment services for over 34,000 people across the state who were suffering from substance use disorders.
If you or someone you know is suffering from an opioid use disorder or other substance use disorders, call the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances at 1-833-2FINDHELP or visit HelplineIL.org.
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