For Immediate Release

Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Dixon Police Investigating Heroin Overdose Death

Safe Passage Remains Committed to Assisting Residents Into Treatment, Places 26 Participants Since Inception 

DIXON, Ill. — Chief Danny Langloss reports that the Dixon Police Department is investigating the death of a 22-year-old woman who is believed to have overdosed on heroin yesterday.

On Wednesday, Nov. 11, Police and Dixon Fire were called to a residence on the northeast side of Dixon at 8:52 a.m. on a report of an unresponsive female. The woman was transported to Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

The investigation remains open and ongoing and police have executed a search warrant at the residence where first responders found the woman. At this time, police have reason to believe she died of a heroin overdose.

“Our hearts go out to the family of this young woman. It is devastating to see another life lost to this deadly epidemic,” Chief Langloss said. “Residents who are struggling with addiction, please know that we are here to help. If you come to the police department and ask for assistance, we will gladly connect you to treatment right away.”

Through The Safe Passage Initiative: Police Giving Hope to Addicts Through the Tools For Recovery, which was launched on Sept. 1, addicts are encouraged to seek the help of police officers and sheriff’s deputies, who will in turn get them into treatment. To date, police have placed 26 people into treatment centers.

The woman’s death marks the fourth heroin overdose death this year in Dixon and the sixth overdose death in Lee County. Since 2010, seven people have lost their lives from a heroin overdose in Dixon.

From 2010 to 2014, the Fire Department responded to 99 heroin overdose calls. In all of cases, Nasal Narcan was used. The year-by-year breakdown is as follows:

• 2010 – 24 overdoses
• 2012 – 28 overdoses
• 2013 – 21 overdoses
• 2014 – 26 overdoses

The community should also remember that through the Good Samaritan Law, if people are using drugs together and someone overdoses, they can seek emergency assistance without the fear of arrest or prosecution for possession of “personal” use drugs and drug equipment. The law defines personal use as less than three grams of heroin.

Residents can also call the Lee County substance abuse hotline, 866-494-4431 for help.

Additionally, Safe Harbor Family Crisis Center sponsors an Opiate Recovery Group every Monday night at 7 p.m. at Town Square Center.

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