By Colleen Morley-Grabowski, DNP, RN, CCM, CMAC, CMCN, ACM-RN, FCM
As the world marks International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st, communities around the globe pause to remember lives lost to drug overdoses and to amplify the conversation around the necessity of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. This day of awareness underscores the importance of advocacy efforts in places like Itasca, Illinois, where the proposed establishment of a Haymarket Center treatment facility has sparked extensive community debate.
Haymarket Center, a Chicago-based nonprofit, seeks to transform a former hotel into a 240-bed facility dedicated to treating substance use and mental health disorders. Their mission aligns with the urgent need highlighted by Overdose Awareness Day—providing accessible, effective treatment to combat the growing crisis of drug overdoses. With approximately 585,000 people globally succumbing to drug use annually, the call for increased treatment options becomes even more critical.
Despite these clear needs, the proposal faces significant local opposition in Itasca, where concerns about community resource strain and impacts on small-town character are at the forefront. This local resistance is culminating in a legal struggle, with Haymarket filing a federal discrimination lawsuit, arguing that Itasca's rejection of their zoning application discriminated against individuals with disabilities, a protected class under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other laws.
This legal and community conflict in Itasca reflects a larger national issue—the need for broader understanding and support for substance use disorder treatment. As Overdose Awareness Day brings to light, stigma and misinformation often hinder the progress towards more accessible SUD care. Educational efforts and advocacy are crucial in shifting public perception and supporting the establishment of necessary treatment facilities.
As advocates for mental health and SUD care, our goal should be to ensure that every person struggling with addiction has access to the help they need. The commemoration of Overdose Awareness Day serves as a poignant reminder of the stakes involved—each statistic represents a life lost, a family affected, a community diminished. By supporting initiatives like the Haymarket Center and advocating for policy changes that facilitate the opening of such facilities, we contribute to a future where overdose is no longer a prevalent cause of death and where treatment is accessible to all who need it.
In our continued fight against the opioid epidemic and other substance use disorders, let us remember the importance of compassion, education, and proactive support. On Overdose Awareness Day and every day, let's stand together to advocate for expanded access to treatment facilities, ensuring a healthier, more supportive environment for all individuals affected by substance use disorders.
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Bio: Dr. Colleen Morley-Grabowski, DNP, RN, CCM, CMAC, CMCN, ACM-RN, FCM is the Associate Chief Clinical Operations Officer, Care Continuum for University of Illinois Health System and the Immediate Past-President of the Case Management Society of America National Board of Directors. She has held positions in acute care as Director of Case Management at several acute care facilities and managed care entities in Illinois, overseeing Utilization Review, Case Management and Social Services for over 14 years; piloting quality improvement initiatives focused on readmission reduction, care coordination through better communication and population health management. Her current passion is in the area of improving health literacy. She is the recipient of the CMSA Foundation Practice Improvement Award (2020) and ANA Illinois Practice Improvement Award (2020) for her work in this area. Dr. Morley also received the AAMCN Managed Care Nurse Leader of the Year in 2010 and the CMSA Fellow of Case Management designation in 2022. Her 1st book, “A Practical Guide to Acute Care Case Management”, published by Blue Bayou Press was released in February, 2022. Dr. Morley has over 20 years of nursing experience. Her clinical specialties include Med/Surg, Oncology and Pediatric Nursing. She received her ADN at South Suburban College in South Holland, IL; BSN at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, FL, MSN from Norwich University in Northfield, VT and her DNP at Chamberlain College of Nursing.