Group urges those who know opioid users to carry anti-overdose drug

A volunteer practices the procedure for injecting naloxone, a drug to counteract overdoses of opioids, at the Chicago Recovery Alliance. (Jessica Nieberg/MEDILL)

By Jessica Nieberg
Medill Reports

Drug overdose deaths continue to increase in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention overdose-related deaths from opioids have increased by more than five times since 1999.

The Chicago Recovery Alliance helps people who are affected by addiction make more positive choices. It also helps those who know and love addicted people to be able save their lives from overdoses.

PHOTO AT TOP: A volunteer practices the procedure for injecting naloxone, a drug to counteract overdoses of opioids, at the Chicago Recovery Alliance. (Jessica Nieberg/MEDILL)