Manley Wants Heroin Task Force to Take Aim At An Earlier Age

State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is aiming to reach kids at a younger age with programs designed to prevent them from using heroin.

“Over the past year I have held several informational seminars and public meetings to spread awareness, and gather feedback from our community on the critical issue of heroin," Manley said in a press release, "and I have also toured the Robert Crown Center to learn more about their prevention programs and resources that they provide to area schools.

"All of my outreach and research has made it apparent that our task force needs to evaluate what schools are doing to prevent drug use in middle school, not just high school, so that we can reach kids as early as possible and hopefully make the biggest impact," she said.

With Manley’s initiative, the Young Adult Heroin Task Force will to study the problem as it relates to kids in grades six through 12, and suggest programs and strategies for middle schools and high schools to implement. Their first meeting will be held on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 26 in Springfield, after the legislative session concludes for the day. 

“I look forward to beginning our work on this committee on Wednesday,” Manley said. “I hope we can further establish a dialogue between the education community, medical professionals, law enforcement, parents, students, and community leaders about the harmful effects of heroin use and the preventative steps we must take together.”

Manley is also a member of the recent Heroin Task Force assembled this month, which will look at the problem of heroin on a much broader scale. They will be holding meetings throughout the Chicagoland suburbs this spring. 

Manley encourages the public to listen or watch the live committee hearing on Wednesday by visiting www.ilga.gov. For more information, please contact Manley’s full-time constituent service office at (815) 725-2741 or email repmanley@gmail.com.