PHIMC is committed to promoting health equity and expanding access to care across the state of Illinois. Using a harm reduction framework, PHIMC works with each of its direct service partners to incorporate a spectrum of strategies from safer substance use to managed substance use, to address mental health and trauma, and to incorporate a non-judgmental, non-punitive, non-coercive approach. PHIMC partnerships ensure that people most impacted have a real voice in the creation of programs and policies designed to serve them.
Current Initiatives
Opioid-Impacted Family Support Program
The Opioid-Impacted Family Support Program seeks to bring care and relief to neighborhoods that are most affected by opioid use disorder in Chicago. Learn more.
Regional Substance Use Prevention Integration Centers (RSUPICS)
Through RSUPICS, PHIMC seeks to increase the capacity of institutions, organizations, and providers to address substance use and misuse among adolescents. RSUPICS programs will add to and integrate with existing substance use prevention strategies and will be applied locally through collaboration, training, and support to improve the overall health and well-being of young people. For more information, please contact James Lones.
Past Initiatives
Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances
From 2018 until 2023, PHIMC partnered with Health Resources in Action (HRiA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to manage outreach and community engagement for the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and other Substances. During this time, the Helpline received over 56,000 calls, including more than 36,300 referral calls, and more than 35,100 service searches were conducted through the website.
The Helpline is a centralized information and referral hub connecting folks to harm reduction, recovery, and support services across the state. The Helpline is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
Substance Use Disorder Services & Medically-Assisted Treatment
PHIMC works across the substance use services continuity of care — screening, prevention, treatment, and recovery in various capacities.
From 2016 through 2020, PHIMC served as the Lead Organization for the Chicago Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) substance use disorder (SUD) and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programming. In this capacity, PHIMC provided training, technical assistance, financial monitoring, and capacity building to 19 agencies throughout Chicago that delivered high-quality services for prevention, treatment, detoxification, naloxone, and recovery. Target populations included uninsured and underinsured adults, homeless persons, and individuals or families involved with the child welfare system.
During this period:
Screening: A total of 50,683 individuals underwent comprehensive screenings to identify issues related to alcohol and substance use.
Overdose Reversal Kits: We distributed 19,350 overdose reversal kits, equipping communities with life-saving tools.
Overdose Reversal Training: Our efforts led to the training of 15,153 individuals in overdose reversal techniques, empowering them to respond effectively to critical situations.
Overdose Reversals: Through swift action, 4,190 overdose reversals were successfully performed, saving countless lives.
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT): A total of 5,629 individuals found solace and support through Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), paving their way towards recovery.
Comprehensive Treatment: Our dedication extended to 2,782 individuals who received diverse and personalized substance use disorder treatments, fostering a path to healing.
