UnityPoint Health – UnityPlace donates thousands of life-saving naloxone kits to Illinois State Police
The opioid epidemic continues to be a dangerous health crisis that is impacting our community. For the second year, Illinois State Police troopers have the ability to save thousands of lives thanks to a donation of naloxone from UnityPoint Health – UnityPlace.
When a person experiences an overdose, law enforcement officers are often the first people to respond. Because police can play such an important role in reversing an overdose, UnityPlace matched last year’s donation and will supply the Illinois State Police with an additional 4,000 lifesaving doses of naloxone.
“Through this collaboration with the Illinois State Police, we can reach more individuals with lifesaving doses of naloxone,” said Mary Sparks Thompson, President of UnityPoint Health – UnityPlace. “We are glad to partner for a second year to reduce overdose deaths in our state.”
UnityPlace Community Educator Sue Tisdale and Master Sargent Matt Haywood with the Illinois State Police met at UnityPlace’s Medication-Assisted Treatment facility on February 09, 2022, to load up the first of three donations of naloxone, totaling 8,000 doses over two years. Upcoming naloxone donations are scheduled for June and November of this year.
“This program is focused on providing education and naloxone training to our communities to save lives.” As a community educator, I’m fortunate to work with many community members, professionals, and organizations that are committed to reducing stigma and overdose deaths,” said Tisdale.
The donation was made possible by UnityPlace’s Drug Overdose Prevention Program, which is supported by the Illinois State Opioid Response (SOR) Grant. If you or someone you know is in need of naloxone, as well as education and training, contact Sue Tisdale at (309) 267-5995.
