Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Northern Illinois University Law Review Supplement
Abstract
The opioid epidemic remains one of Illinois’s most pressing public health and safety crises, with thousands of overdoses reported annually. Illinois’s current State Overdose Action Plan (SOAP) relies on law enforcement to administer naloxone and refer people who use drugs (PWUD) to treatment. Yet, there is research that indicates Illinois police are opposed to these responsibilities due to personal bias, workplace culture, and a lack of training in the science of drug addiction. Some advocates call for decriminalization of drug use, pointing to models in Portugal, Oregon, and California. However, these approaches have struggled in the United States due to their failure to account for the critical role of police in the opioid crisis response. Instead of decriminalization, Illinois should adopt a multidisciplinary team (MDT) model that integrates law enforcement, medical professionals, and social workers to provide structured post-overdose intervention. This Article explores successful MDT programs implemented within the United States, demonstrating how they enhance public safety, improve police engagement with PWUD, and foster community trust. By implementing a post-overdose MDT framework within Illinois’s SOAP, policymakers can bridge the gap between enforcement and public health, ensuring a more effective and compassionate response to the opioid crisis.
First Page
55
Last Page
82
Publication Date
5-1-2026
Department
College of Law
Department
College of Law
ISSN
0734-1490
Recommended Citation
Natalie B. Thirtle, Note, Policing Post-Overdose: Multidisciplinary Teams Are Key to Addressing Illinois’s Opioid Crisis, 16 N. Ill. Univ. L. Rev. Supp. 59 (2026).
Original Citation
Natalie B. Thirtle, Note, Policing Post-Overdose: Multidisciplinary Teams Are Key to Addressing Illinois’s Opioid Crisis, 16 N. Ill. Univ. L. Rev. Supp. 59 (2026).
