Increase in DuPage County Heroin Use Prompts Forum Tonight

Local law enforcement will join board members from the Heroin Epidemic Relief Organization tonight for a heroin awareness forum at in Woodridge.

A member from the 's tactical unit will participate in the forum, along with health education experts, who plan to share information to help parents identify signs that their children are using heroin.

According to Darien Police Chief Ernest Brown, there has been a 10 percent increase in heroin fatalities in the past year.

"It’s a problem that could be epidemic. An increase in DuPage County sufficient to warrant a forum," said Brown. "Kids from DuPage are going into the city, bringing it back and using it in their homes."

Brown said he hopes the forum will increase awareness about the issue with families in the area. He said overdoses occur, because the purity of the drug varies on the street.

"Heroin is a cheaper drug than cocaine, but it is far more dangerous ... [this is because] heroin is cut with any array of mixing agents ... the consumer never knows what they’re getting," said Brown.

The free forum will take place Tuesday night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Christ the Servant Church at 8700 Havens Drive in Woodridge.