Heroin Use Task Force Expanding Scope

(Undated) -- State leaders are digging deeper as they try to fight heroin abuse among Illinois youth. Over the past year, the Young Adults Heroin Use Task Force has been hearing testimony and gathering information as it relates to high school students. And recently signed legislation sponsored by State Representative Natalie Manley of Joliet expands the focus of the task force to include children starting in sixth grade. She says heroin abuse is widespread and it needs to be addressed on every level. According to the C-D-C, nationally there was a 45 percent increase in heroin-related deaths from 2006 to 2010. Manley says bringing education to the community is a critical component of combating the problem, and she points to successful efforts in Will County. Heroin related deaths there dropped from a high of 53 in 2012, down to 38 in 2013.