HR0069 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0069 LRB100 06084 MST 16116 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Heroin addiction continues to be a serious and deadly problem in the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Heroin accounts for one-quarter of substance related treatment admissions in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 4% of youths reported using heroin in 2013; and

WHEREAS, 681 deaths were caused by heroin overdoses in 2014; and

WHEREAS, Illinois still heavily relies on the 12-step program to address heroin and over 300 other types of addictions; and

WHEREAS, Study after study has proven that 12-step programs have a poor success rate of only between 5% and 10%; and

WHEREAS, Twelve-step programs have a dropout rate of 95% after one year in the program; and

WHEREAS, Treatment models using behavioral science have shown a great deal of promise in many medical and mental health circles; and

WHEREAS, Countless loved ones have had to endure the pain and heartache associated with heroin addiction; and

WHEREAS, With 12-step programs having such low success rates action must be taken to save lives from heroin and other addictions; and

WHEREAS, A new treatment method that meets the needs of the addicted and that uses a behavioral methodology to better foster heroin addiction recovery is urgently needed; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we encourage the Illinois Department of Human Services to address heroin addiction and implement evidence-based practices for medication-assisted treatment services that meet the needs of the addicted in Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we designate November 4, 2017 as Heroin Addiction Awareness Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Governor Rauner, Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services James T. Dimas, and Kari Karidis.