(CHICAGO) – Today, a broad-based group of local, state and national organizations came together to introduce a new coalition that will help address the opioid epidemic in the state. The Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) of Illinois comprises more than 20 health care, law enforcement, veteran, community and drug prevention organizations, all of which will work with state leaders to support programs that promote effective prevention, treatment, and recovery strategies.
Among the first efforts RALI Illinois will focus on is proper storage and disposal of prescription medications, which can help prevent misuse. RALI Illinois will help guide residents to designated “take back” locations throughout the state and provide information and tools to facilitate other methods for safe disposal of unused medicines.
“The opioid epidemic is going to take a comprehensive approach that employs multiple strategies and many stakeholders to address it,” said General Arthur T. Dean, chairman and CEO of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA). “We view our partnership with RALI Illinois as a model for how communities can enhance local primary prevention efforts and increase awareness about the dangers of substance use and misuse. By working together, we can build safe and healthy drug-free communities.”
As part of its launch, RALI Illinois will present 50,000 drug disposal pouches to partners and organizations who will distribute them to residents free of charge. The pouches are among the FDA-approved methods for disposing of unused medicines.
“We need solutions-oriented efforts like RALI Illinois to help ensure we don’t lose any more Chicagoans to this crisis,” said Eric Davis, executive director of The BASE Chicago. “As an organization focused on protecting and supporting our area’s youth, we are grateful for the tools this effort will provide so we can double-down on our work to prevent addiction from taking hold.”
In addition to providing disposal pouches throughout the state, RALI Illinois will offer community grants to organizations dedicated to prevention and treatment of substance use disorders.
To learn more about RALI Illinois, visit www.rali-il.org.
About RALI Illinois:
RALI Illinois is an alliance of 20 local, state and national organizations working to elevate solutions to the state’s opioid crisis. Members include:
• Addiction Policy Forum
• The BASE Chicago
• Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)
• Community- The Anti-Drug
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
• Hoyleton Youth & Family Services
• Illinois Academy of Family Physicians
• Illinois Grange
• Illinois Pharmacists Association
• Illinois Sheriffs’ Association
• Link Together
• Midwest Business Group on Health
• National Black Nurses Association
• National Consumers League
• National Grange
• National Sheriffs’ Association
• Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
• Veterans Against Drugs
• Veterans Health Council
• Vietnam Veterans of America
• West Garfield Park Community Stakeholders