Local mental health officials are trying to establish a new program to deal with opioid overdoses. Vermilion County Mental Health 708 Board Director Jim Russell told the Danville City Council that opioid users can be people of any age and any status. He said there is no one single program that will end the problem. But one idea that is working in other locations is a Recovery Oriented System of Care.
The program would involve people from throughout the community. A coordinator will pull together information on local services, support groups and faith-based programs and try to coordinate and communicate with all those providers to provide more services for people in need.
Russell is looking for 100 thousand dollars to start the program. The Vermilion County Board is expected to approve 75 thousand dollars for the program this week. Russell is hoping the city of Danville will provide the other 25 thousand.
The proposal will be brought to the city’s Public Services committee later this month.
