Naperville Police, School Districts Partner for Heroin Discussions at Naperville North, Neuqua Valley Next Week

Naperville is not the only community struggling with a heroin problem; it is an issue in communities around the Chicago area and across the country, according to one police department official.

The has said there is a growing heroin problem here that needs to be addressed. In addition to a handful of heroin overdoses in the past year, police recently for alleged unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

Police know that the best way to try and curb the heroin problem in town is to have the support, understanding and cooperation of residents in the community. Several presentations have already been held this year to discuss the problem. Two more meetings are scheduled for next week, one 7 p.m. Tuesday at , and another 7 p.m. Thursday at .

The programs will be similar to some offered in the past, but will also include a question and answer period with a panel of social workers, police (Naperville and/or Aurora police officers) and state’s attorneys from both Will and DuPage counties, said Deputy Police Chief Gary Bolt. 

“The more we can educate the community, students and parents alike, we can get them involved to help us fight this problem,” Bolt said.

The police department is partnering with the school districts for the presentations, he said. Both districts are very involved and concerned. 

"It is important that parents have every opportunity to hear the information they need to know to understand the impact drug use, particularly heroin, is having on our community," said Susan Rice, Naperville School District 203 director of com. Awareness is the first step in prevention and the only way that intervention can begin if an adolescent is using or experimenting with drugs.

One meeting earlier this year took place after the highly publicized arrest of a 17-year-old high school student. The response to that meeting was overwhelming that two meetings were held back-to-back and some people were turned away, Bolt said. The department hopes that the turnout is as strong for the upcoming meetings. 

With more residents aware of the heroin problem, Bolt said the department is getting more calls from concerned residents who report suspicious activity and possible drug activity, he said. 

“We can’t solve this problem on our own,” Bolt said. “It is a problem all over and we are just trying to make people aware. The more people we have involved the more likely we are to solve it.”