Police Department Moves Heroin Forum to Downers Grove North

The Downers Grove Police Department has moved the location of its upcoming heroin forum to accommodate growing community interest, according to village officials.

"Heroin in Our Community" will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25, at Downers Grove North High School (Purple Gym), 4436 Main St.

The forum was previously scheduled to take place in the Village of Downers Grove Council Chambers.

Parents, educators and young adults are invited to attend the forum, which was prompted by a dramatic increase in heroin abuse in DuPage County and Downers Grove, according to Deputy Police Chief Kurt Bluder.

According to the DuPage Metropolitan Enforcement Group, an agency that combats illicit drug trafficking, heroin seizures increased from 114 grams in 2008 to more than 1,800 grams in 2011.

Bluder said information from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office indicates there have been 34 deaths related to heroin in 2012—four of which were in Downers Grove.

"Many police departments are trying to educate and engage the public theyserve in an effort to combat this problem," Bluder said. "Downers Grove is one such community, and staff wants to open up a dialogue with its residents."

Speakers will include Downers Grove Police Chief Robert Porter; Kathleen Burke, Chief Executive Officer for the Robert Crown Center for Health Education; DuPage County States Attorney Robert Berlin; DuPage Metropolitan Enforcement Group (DUMEG) Director Matt Gainer; and members of the Downers Grove Police Department Tactical Unit.  

Also attending is John Roberts, co-founder of HERO, the Heroin Epidemic Relief Organization. Roberts is a Homer Glen resident and retired Chicago police captain, who lost his 19-year-old son to a heroin overdose in 2009.

The following year, he founded HERO with Brian Kirk, another Homer Glen dad who lost his son to an overdose. Together, Roberts and Kirk have organized rallies and spoken at several forums to raise awareness of the heroin epidemic in suburban Chicago.

The format for the Downers Grove program will include a brief presentation by each speaker, followed by an opportunity to respond to questions from the audience.  

Citizens may also request the National Child Safety Council “Confusions 11” booklet, a comprehensive guide to street drugs. The material is recommended for anyone that is not able to attend the forum.

To request a copy of "Confusions 11" at no cost, contact Downers Grove Public Education Manager Marion Heintz at 630-434-5606 or email mheintz@downers.us.  

Related stories:

• Downers Grove Police to Hold Public Forum on Heroin Abuse

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