Politics & Government

Battle of Bands to Raise Awareness for Heroin Overdose Deaths in Lake County

A battle of the bands fund-raising event will be held from 2 to 10 p.m. on Aug. 17.

A battle of the bands fund-raising event meant to raise awareness for opiate and heroin overdoses will be held at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake on Aug. 17 from 2 to 10 p.m. 

The event will be hosted by the Office of the Lake County State's Attorney Mike Nerheim and Live4Lali, a drug awareness group cofounded by Chelsea Laliberte after the death of her brother Alex Laliberte from a drug overdose. 

Alex was 20 years old when he was found dead in his mother's home in Buffalo Grove on Dec. 15, 2008, according to the Chicago Tribune and the Live4Lali website. Alex had attended Western Illinois University before returning home unexpectedly in November, according to the Live4Lali website

"After a month long investigation, a toxicology report found that Alex died of a heroin overdose," according to the the Live4Lali website. "Marijuana, alcohol, two other opioids and one benzodiazepine were found as well."

Tickets to the Battle of the Bands fund-raising event at the Lake County Fairgrounds, which is located at the corner of Peterson and Midlothian roads, are $10 and $7 for students, military and seniors and are available for purchase online. Eight bands will compete for votes at the event and there will be a special performance by Ill Ambition and Silent Redemption. There will also be food vendors. 

State’s Attorney Mike Nerheim said in the press release that the event is meant to bring attention to an important issue in Lake County. 

“Right now more people die of drug overdoses than from car accidents," Nerheim said. "It is essential that parents and children unite to become part of the diligent effort on the education and prevention of heroin and opioid overdose--together we could make a difference in establishing this initiative." 

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office believes that education, prevention and awareness are key points for families and young adults to understand the negative affects of heroin and opioid overdose. 

“Knowledge is the most powerful weapon against the cancers of heroin, opiates, and other harmful drugs affecting our youth,” said Sheriff Mark C. Curran Jr. 

Chelsea Laliberte wants to honor her brother by making sure that his death was not in vain and by saving other lives in Lake County. 

“We want to get the word out that opiate pill and heroin overdose is reversible with the drug naloxone," said Laliberte who has been trained as an overdose prevention educator.  "I hope others will join me in learning to save a life so that not one more person will have to go through what my family has been through”

Naloxone is a pure opiate antidote, known by the trade name Narcan, which was developed in the 1960s and has been used by first responders for decades. 

In 2010, Illinois passed legislation entitled the OD Prevention Act that allows for laypersons to be trained in how to use this lifesaving drug. Naloxone trainings will be conducted at the event so that everyone in Lake County who is interested in learning how to reverse an overdose and safe a life will be able to do so.
 
“I hope the community will come together, have a good time, and learn that social activism can be fun. There is nothing more rewarding than saving a life – and that is what Live4Lali is all about” said Laliberte.

Kathie Kane-Willis the Consortium’s Director has been trending the rise of heroin use from the city to the collar counties for nearly a decade. 

“I think this is a great opportunity to not only raise awareness of overdose but to actually bring solutions to the community," Kane-Willis said. "I wish more groups and counties were engaging in these kinds of positive changes to reduce overdose like this one." 

All proceeds from the event will be used for drug education and overdose prevention activities, and the Lake County Opioid Overdose Prevention Initiative in partnership with State’s Attorney Mike Nerheim’s Office in Lake County. 

The initiative is made up of Lake County organizations and individuals from many different fields, from treatment providers, police, doctors, educators, and community members. The initiative is looking for individuals to join in the process. If Lake County individuals are interested, faith-based groups, businesses, schools and higher education are particularly needed. To join please call the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office at 847.377.3000 or e-mail at statesattorney@lakecountyil.gov. 

 Live4Lali, www.live4lali.org, wants to ensure that the overdose crisis does not continue and has partnered with Roosevelt University’s Illinois Consortium on Drug Policy to guarantee that their interventions are properly targeted. 


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