Opioids

Democratic U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen said a bipartisan bill he's co-sponsoring to reduce fentanyl smuggling at the southern border would also help suppress gun smuggling.

Chestnut Health Systems and the McLean County Health Department have invested in vending machines that will freely dispense the overdose reversal medication Narcan, and the county recently started making payments to Chestnut for a contracted opioid prevention coordinator.

Previously, the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council [BHCC] — an ad hoc committee composed largely of mental health experts in the area — made spending proposals. The McLean County Board's Executive Committee approved an ordinance Monday to make the group an independent body, stripping members of that authority.

Experts say it’s no longer any one group that needs to have Narcan on hand. Everyone should.

Bloomington, Normal and McLean County governments expect to receive payments over the next 18 years to combat opioid abuse.

Overdose-reversal drug Narcan will become more widely available after the recent decision by the Food and Drug Administration to allow over the counter sales of the life saving medicine.

Managers of an overdose recovery program in McLean County say they are making a difference, despite challenges in getting addicts to participate.Since the…

Pretrial proceedings in McLean County’s lawsuit against drugmakers and distributors over the opioid epidemic have been moved to Cook County and…

McLean County has officially joined thousands of state and local governments that have sued drugmakers and distributors over the opioid epidemic.The…

Chestnut Health Systems of Bloomington will be taking part in a national study that aims to curb opioid abuse among recently released prisoners.Lighthouse…