'Hero Helps' Opioid Summit Returns To Romeoville

ROMEOVILLE, IL — The 2019 Hero Helps Community Forum is slated for Friday, May 3, at the Edward Hospital Athletic and Event Center in Romeoville.

This year’s event will focus on services and programs to support long-term recovery from opioid use. The eighth annual event will again be sponsored by HERO (Heroin Epidemic Relief Organization) and Will County HELPS (Heroin Education Leads to Preventative Solutions) as well as the Village of Romeoville and the Southwest Coalition.

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Medical professionals from the Will County Behavioral Health Department, Symetria Health, and Family Guidance Center will speak about the different methods of offering medication-assisted treatment (MAT). A panel discussion will focus on the various types of sober living homes in the area.

Paul Lauridsen, co-chair, said he is proud the event will offer these topics of information this year.

“Hero Helps has done an excellent job raising awareness and stimulating action in the opiate crisis,” he said. “Each year we have focused on a different aspect of this crisis such as stressing the importance of collaboration and addressing prescribing practices and access to treatment. This year will highlight the next step in the continuum of care – MAT and sober living homes.”

The event will also include a resource fair with vendors representing the many aspects related to the epidemic and Narcan training. Continuing education hours will be available.

For more information and to register for the event, Narcan Training, or Resource Expo, visit the website www.herohelps.org. For questions, email herohelpsifo@gmail.com.

Submitted by Will County Executive Larry Walsh's Office