State lawmakers are proposing a package of bills to fight heroin abuse in Illinois.
Among the measures being proposed by a group of House Republicans are allowing law enforcement to seize more assets from drug dealers and launching two statewide education initiatives to increase awareness about the dangers of heroin and other narcotics.
State Rep. Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst) believes it’s a balanced approach between stricter penalties and rehabilitation. “Instead of putting people into prison, we’re offering some alternatives here and recognizing that it’s an addiction, and it’s not necessarily criminal activity, and if we can’t beat the addiction portion, that recidivism rates are going to down,” Reboletti said.
Reboletti says confiscating assets from drug peddlers will help pay for treatment options and anti-drug education.