Violence Prevention and Public Safety
Fighting Back Against Illegal Drugs
The toll of illegal drug use affects individuals, families, and the whole communities. The Illinois Attorney General works to ensure public health, and to promote safer communities by taking legal action to stop the surge of illegal drugs, advocating for laws and programs to address the issue, and prosecuting criminal activity.
Legal Victories Bring New Resources to Fight Illinois’ Opioid Crisis
The opioid crisis has manifested itself in the form of multiple public health problems. Opioid overdoses have resulted in thousands of emergency room visits, hospital stays, and immeasurable pain suffered by families and communities. Attorney General Raoul has taken on the drug manufacturers, marketers, and distributors so that prescription opioid drugs are not used illegally and harmfully.
In 2022, Raoul's office finalized the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement. The agreement is intended to ensure that the approximately $760 million Illinois will receive through the historic national $26 billion opioid settlement agreement with the nation's three major pharmaceutical distributors, as well as Johnson & Johnson, are allocated equitably to counties and municipalities. The majority of Illinois' money will go to the Illinois Remediation Fund to be used for abatement programs throughout the state.
There are ongoing legal actions to combat the opioid epidemic and hold accountable companies whose deceptive practices have increased opioid prescriptions at the expense of public health.
The Attorney General urges anyone who believes they or a loved one may be addicted to opioids to seek help by calling the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances at 833-2FINDHELP , which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Protecting Illinois from the Dangers of Meth
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive nerve stimulant. It is known on the street as meth, crank, speed and ice, and can be smoked, injected, snorted or taken orally. Because the manufacturing of methamphetamine produces highly toxic chemicals, meth labs and the waste they leave behind can have a significant and dangerous impact on the community in which they are found.
One “recipe” for meth features anhydrous ammonia as a key ingredient. This chemical is commonly used for agricultural purposes, making the Illinois farmer a prime target for anhydrous ammonia thefts. The Illinois Attorney General helps farmers be aware of the risks.
Steps to Stop Meth Production
- To report suspicious activity regarding methamphetamine production or trafficking, contact the Office of the Attorney General – Statewide Grand Jury Bureau at: 312-814-5200.
- To obtain more information on methamphetamine abuse, call the Illinois State Police – Safety Education Division at: 217-524-2525
- Have your anhydrous ammonia tanks inspected by contacting the Illinois Department of Agriculture at: 217-782-3817
- Learn more about meth production trends in Illinois with data analysis by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority: A State and National Overview of Methamphetamine Trends Report