Will County Gazette

Village of New Lenox Safe Community, Substance Use Prevention Task Group met March 10.

Here is the agenda provided by the group:

1. Call to Order / Attendance

2. Approval of Minutes from the January 13, 2025 Task Group Meeting

3. Old Business

a. DEA Presentation – February 6, 2025 / 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the New Lenox Village Hall

i. From 6:30pm to 7:00pm a small resource fair was held, which included informational tables from DEA Chicago Field Division (Diversion), DEA Chicago Field Division (Enforcement), HERO, Will County Substance Use Initiatives, Illinois Supply Company and Sam’s Club.

ii. From 7:00pm to 8:00pm Greg Czaczkowski from the DEA Chicago Field Division spoke about substance use disorders and shared what the DEA is doing to stop the opioid epidemic. Greg also shared his background and personal story, which everyone in attendance found remarkable.

iii. From 8:00pm to 8:30pm Officer Candace Guidry, New Lenox Police Department, conducted a narcotics sniffing demonstration with her K-9 partner “Harlie.” Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the demonstration.

iv. At 8:30pm everyone had one more opportunity to visit the resource tables. Thanks to the organizations for leaving them up and to Sam’s Club for providing refreshments and snacks.

v. 95 citizens registered to attend this event via Eventbrite. Approximately 65 were in attendance.

b. Narcan Training – Monday, February 24, 2025 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, via Zoom

i. Dr. Kathleen Burke conducted Narcan training via Zoom. 211 citizens registered via Eventbrite to attend and 118 were in attendance. On Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm Narcan Nasal Spray Kits were distributed at the New Lenox Village Hall. This was a drive-up delivery method in the upper-level parking lot of the village hall. For those that could not make it, Narcan Nasal Spray Kits are being picked up at the New Lenox Village Hall.

4. New Business

a. “Teen Substance Use: What’s New and What’s Hidden in Plain Sight” – March 31, 2025

i. This presentation will be held on Monday, March 31, 2025 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm via Zoom Videoconference. Topics will include an overview on HERO and John Roberts (co-founder), legislative update, substance use in Will County, Narcan, an overview (and “show-and-tell”) of the HERO Hidden in Plain Sight Trailer, and a discussion regarding the intersection between substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health. In addition, Tim Ignowski will share his experience with SUD, his road to recovery and where he’s at now (providing peer support for HERO).

ii. There are currently approximately 50 citizens registered via Eventbrite (PLEASE ASSIST WITH MARKETING).

b. 2025 “Your Light Still Shines”

i. This event is our task group’s “signature” annual event. Today, we need to have a preliminary discussion regarding date, time, location, venue, event format, etc… Suggestions for topics, featured speakers and panelists are also welcome. Lastly, a Planning Team needs to be selected to carry-out the guidance and direction from our task group members.

c. Kratom

i. At our last meeting, following a great deal of discussion, it was decided that we would approach Kratom from an educational, rather than regulatory, standpoint. How do we wish to carry this out? Speaker / Topic for “Your Light Still Shines?” An additional program?

5. Good of the Order

6. The next New Lenox Safe Community Coalition meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 / 10:30am, at Gatto’s Italian Restaurant in New Lenox. A FREE luncheon will immediately follow the meeting. THIS WILL BE DAN MARTIN’S LAST MEETING AND HE WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IF EVERYONE WOULD ATTEND.

7. Next Task Group Meeting will take place on Monday, May 12, 2025 / 1:30pm, via Zoom videoconference.

8. Adjournment

https://www.newlenox.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03102025-347