Resources in

Illinois

In 2020 there were 3549 overdose deaths.

If you are a person who uses drugs or if you are around people who use drugs, please consider learning how to respond to an opioid overdose and carrying naloxone (intranasal brand name: Narcan). Naloxone is a medication designed to reverse an opioid overdose. Opioids slow down the activity of the central nervous system. This can cause slowed or stopped breathing which may lead to death. Naloxone displaces the opioids from the opioid receptors in the brain which allows the person who is experiencing an opioid overdose to begin breathing normally. We have a helpful FAQ and are constantly updating it with questions from our site visitors. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, let us know.

REQUEST NALOXONE BY MAIL

If you are a person who uses drugs, have been recently released from jail or prison, or if you are a friend, family member, or partner of someone who may be at high-risk for an opioid overdose, you can have naloxone mailed to you at no cost.

NALOXONE LOCATOR

Search statewide naloxone via OEND programs (Opioid Education Naloxone Distribution) and pharmacy access. Choose the Naloxone Distribution Locations tab.

NALOXONE ACCESS BY COUNTY

Find an entity near you responsible for distributing naloxone to individuals and organizations.

SOCIAL SERVICES/ RESOURCES LOCATOR

Use this zip-code specific service locator to find naloxone, harm reduction programs, drug treatment, family health centers, and a host of other health and social service resources.

ILLINOIS HELPLINE

The Illinois Helpline is a 24/365 statewide, public resource for finding substance use treatment and recovery services. It is available to people using opioids and other substances, with or without insurance.

CHICAGO SPECIFIC

Chicago is home to Chicago Recovery Alliance one of the most well-known harm reduction programs in the country. CRA was founded by Dan Bigg, responsible for expanding laypeople access to naloxone across the country. CRA offers many opportunities to access free naloxone in Chicago.

ILLINOIS GOOD SAMARITAN LAW

The IL Good Samaritan law provides limited protection. Unfortunately, if a person dies from drugs sold or distributed by another person, that seller/distributor can be prosecuted for drug-induced homicide.

DRUG USER ORGANIZING

The Urban Survivors Union is a national drug users union mobilizing against the war on drugs.