CHICAGO TONIGHT.

I'M PARIS SHOTS.

HERE'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

OFFICIALS ARE WARNING RESIDENTS ABOUT A RISE IN HATE CRIMES AGAINST THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY.

>> WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE IRON DOME CONTINUES TO GUARD THE SKIES OVER ISRAEL.

>> IT IS REAL.

THE HOUSE SPEAKER SAGA, MIGRANT FUNDING AND MORE WITH LOCAL CONGRESSMEMBERS.

>> I HAD NEVER GET A RECEIPT.

>> A CITY PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS DRUG OFFENDERS TO CHOOSE TREATMENT INSTEAD OF A REST.

AND COOK COUNTY IS ON PACE TO SET A NEW RECORD FOR OPIOID OVERDOSE TEST.

WHAT'S BEHIND THOSE NUMBERS AND WHAT CAN BE DONE?

>> NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES, A 12 YEAR-OLD BOY IS AMONG 7 PEOPLE KILLED BY GUNFIRE IN CHICAGO OVER THIS WEEKEND, THE 12 YEAR-OLD VICTIM WAS IDENTIFIED AS DAMIAN GREEN.

HE WAS FOUND FATALLY SHOT ENGLEWOOD STREET SUNDAY EVENING AND ALL THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS 23 PEOPLE WERE SHOT IN 22 SEPARATE SHOOTING INCIDENTS BETWEEN FRIDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHTS.

GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER JOINED A GROUP OF AIR UP IN MOST AMERICAN ATTORNEYS TO CONDEMN THE RISE IN HATE CRIME AGAINST THOSE COMMUNITIES.

THE ERA BAR ASSOCIATION HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE TODAY TO CALL OUT THE RISE IN HATE CRIME ATTACKS ON MUSLIM AIR OF AND JEWISH COMMUNITIES.

THIS FOLLOWS THE KILLING OF A PLAINFIELD 6 YEAR-OLD WHAT THEY'LL FAIL ME.

ALSO, 2 PEOPLE WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER SOMEONE FIRED A GUN SHOT INTO THE AIR AND PEPPER SPRAYED.

PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTERS YESTERDAY IN SKOKIE.

THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE, MEANWHILE, SAYS THERE'S BEEN AN ALARMING RISE IN CRIMES AND THREATS AGAINST JEWISH AMERICANS, INCLUDING THE KILLING OF A DETROIT SYNAGOGUE.

PRESIDENT GOVERNOR PRITZKER SAYS THE STATE HAS STRONG LAWS IN PLACE TO COMBAT HATE CRIMES.

>> WE ARE FIGHTING HATE CRIMES AND HATE SPEECH AS BEST WE AND AGAIN, I'M OPEN TO IDEAS, BUT BUT IT IS UP TO ALL OF US.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY, YOU KNOW, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ALL TO BE STANDING TOGETHER IN SENDING THIS MESSAGE TO PEOPLE LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER.

THE CHICAGO NEWS COMMUNITY MOURNS THE DEATH OF A LONG TIME BELOVED NEWS ANCHOR AND REPORTER.

>> HARRY PORTERFIELD WAS ON THE AIR IN CHICAGO FOR 51 YEARS AS AN ANCHOR REPORTER FAME FOR HIS SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW SEGMENT FEATURING UPLIFTING STORIES OF EVERYDAY PEOPLE PORTERFIELD IS SAID TO HAVE DIED PEACEFULLY SURROUNDED BY HIS FAMILY IN MUNSTER, INDIANA.

HE WAS 95 YEARS OLD.

NEXT, LOCAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ON THE HUNT FOR A NEW HOUSE SPEAKER AND MUCH MORE.

THAT'S RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE GYM AND K MAYBE FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> THEY 20 AND STILL NO U.S. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

THIS COMES AS CONGRESS IS SET TO DEBATE AID TO ISRAEL AS THE CONFLICT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND GAZA DRAGS ON.

AND CHICAGO ELECTED OFFICIALS SEEK HELP FOR THE MIGRANT CRISIS.

MEANWHILE, TO EVANSTON NATIVES HELD HOSTAGE AND FREED BY HAMAS LATE LAST WEEK ARE EXPECTED HOME POSSIBLY SOMETIME THIS WEEK.

AND JOINING US, OUR CONGRESSMAN JONATHAN JACKSON, ALSO DEMOCRAT OF ILLINOIS'S FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, WHICH INCLUDES PARTS OF THE CITY'S SOUTH SIDE AND SOUTH SUBURBS AND DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSWOMAN AREAS OF ILLINOIS'S 3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, WHICH INCLUDES PARTS OF THE CITY'S NORTH SIDE.

AND NORTHWESTERN SUBURBS.

WE ALSO INVITED ALL THE REPUBLICANS IN ILLINOIS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

NONE ACCEPTED OUR INVITATION AS ALWAYS.

WE'RE GLAD THAT THE 2 OF YOU ARE HERE WITH US.

CONGRESSMAN JACKSON, I WANT TO START WITH THE CONDITION OF THE 2, A FORMER ARE COMING HOME TO EVANS.

AT SOME POINT, JUDITH AND NATALIE RUN ON.

DO WE KNOW THEIR CONDITION AND WHEN THEY MIGHT BE ARRIVING BACK IN CHICAGO.

>> I DO NOT HAVE ANY ADVANCE INFORMATION THEIR CONDITION, BUT THIS IS A MOMENT.

THERE ARE CELEBRATING.

ALSO SAY A VERY SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WORK CURTIS, A MAGENTA THAT WAS NOW TAKING ON MOVEMENTS AND INFORMATION PEOPLE SAW AROUND THE WORLD.

JAMES ACCOUNTS, HE'S A STORE.

THE OTHER DAY CANCER KOSKI HAS BEEN A FEARLESS PROPONENT CHAMPION FOR PEACE.

AND I FOR CERTAIN THAT THIS STRATEGICALLY DONE TO HELP THOSE PEAS, EVERY KID'S GAME FURTHER INROADS INTO TRYING TO CHRISSY'S FOR HIM TO EXPAND THE PEACE PROCESS.

SO ONCE AGAIN, I CAN GRADUALLY FOR ALL OF HER WORK, SHE'S SHE'S AROUND THE BUILDING, THE MOST PART OF THE WORLD, LIVING IN PEACE LEFT THINK THOSE ARE OBVIOUS LEE IN CONGRESS WANT TO CAUSE KEYS DISTRICT.

WE DON'T KNOW THE RATIONALE FOR WHY HAMAS RELEASED THESE 2 REPORTS WHERE THEY'VE RELEASED A FEW MORE TODAY AND WHY THEY'RE STILL HOLDING OTHERS.

BUT I WANT TO MOVE CONGRESSWOMAN DAILY RAMIREZ.

>> THIS COMES AMID THIS RISE IN HATE CRIMES AGAINST THE MOST AMERICAN COMMUNITY AGAINST THE JEWISH AMERICAN COMMUNITY, VIOLENT RHETORIC.

IS THERE ANYTHING AT THAT CAN BE DONE IN CONGRESS AT LEAST, BY EXAMPLE, TO TRY AND TAMP THIS DOWN?

>> YES, I THINK THE ANSWER IS YES.

LOCATION HOMELAND SECURITY, A COMMITTEE WHERE, YOU KNOW, EACH ONE OF OUR MEMBERS RESPONSIBILITIES TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO ENSURE SAFETY OF EVERY PERSON LIVING IN OUR HOMELAND.

BUT WE HAVE COLLEAGUES OF OURS LIKE MARJORIE TAYLOR, GREENE WHO CALL SOME OF MY SQUAD WHO SAYS THAT MUSLIMS SHOULD NOT SERVE IN CONGRESS AND GOES THAT KIND RED MEAT.

>> IT'S DANGEROUS AND WERE SEEN WHAT IT'S IN THE UPTAKE OF HIS ON THE FULL THAT ATTACKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ESPECIALLY WHAT WE'VE SEEN JUST HERE IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND THE LAST WEEK OR SO.

SO A NUMBER OF ARE WORKING ON SOME POTENTIAL LEGISLATION.

MANY AROUND THE IMPORTANCE OF ELECTED OFFICIALS BEING VERY CAREFUL WITH WHAT THEY SAY AND HOW THEY USE THE BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN THE UPTICK IN VIOLENCE WHEN WE CONTINUE TO USE ANTI-SEMITE.

IT IS ON THE WHOLE THEY WAGE.

WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS CONFLICT IS UNACCEPTABLE AND WE SHOULD TOLERATE IT.

>> CONGRESS MEMBERS HAVE AN INFLUENCE HERE, ALTHOUGH IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE ANY LEGISLATION CAN BE CONSIDERED UNTIL THERE IS AN ACTUAL SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, CONGRESSMAN JACKSON THEM NO SHORTER THAN 9 GOP CANDIDATES NOW LOOKING TO RUN IN THE WAKE OF JIM JORDAN'S FAILURE.

IS THERE GOING TO BE ANY CONSENSUS THAT GETS TO 17 REPUBLICAN VOTES THIS WEEK AT ALL?

>> WE HOPE SO.

WE'RE PRIVY TO WHAT GOES ON IN THEIR IN THIS BUILDING AND REPAIRING TODAY.

THE WAYS AND ROOM 6 OUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES WILL GO INTO CONFERENCE AND SO WE WILL FIND OUT SHORTLY.

>> DAILY RAMIREZ, DO YOU HEAR ANYTHING FROM THE REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME KIND OF UNITY SPEAKER?

I KNOW DEMOCRATS REALLY WANT TO PUSH THEIR LEADER, HAKEEM JEFFRIES IS ARE THERE 5 REPUBLICANS THAT WOULD GO ALONG WITH A PLAN LIKE THAT?

>> I THINK THAT THERE ARE A FEW OF MY COLLEAGUES.

YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED.

SOT IS COLLEAGUES ARE THE ONES THAT ARE IN BY DONE.

PLUS DISTRICTS PERHAPS STATES LIKE NEW YORK AND OTHERS WHO ARE GETTING SICK AND TIRED OF THE BUT UNFORTUNATELY, YOU SEEN THE LEVEL OF BULLYING WE'VE SEEN IN THE REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE LAST WEEK, WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SOME REAL SERIOUS CONVERSATION OF BUILDING BIPARTISAN LEADERSHIP AROUND THE SPEAKER COULD LOOK LIKE WE THOUGHT WE WERE GETTING CLOSER AND OF A SUDDEN YOU SAW EVERYTHING THROUGH THIS AND THE I THINK NOW ENTERING WEEK 4.

IT IS A SHAME WE WALKED OUT OF THE WEEK.

4 KNOWING THAT WE HAVE LESS THAN WEEKS TO BE ABLE TO PASS APPROPRIATIONS TO KEEP THE GOVERNMENT OPEN, THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE COURAGE OF 5, 6, 7, REPUBLICANS WHO UNDERSTAND FORGET LIKELIHOOD OF GETTING ELECTED, ALTHOUGH I THINK IT ONLY WORSEN OF ACTUALLY WORK WITH BUT THAT THEY ACTUALLY PUT THE PEOPLE BEFORE THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES THAT YOU SEE AND IT COULD GET ANOTHER NEED FOR SPEAKER THE PRESIDENT WANTS TO PUSH 105 BILLION DOLLAR AID PACKAGE FOR ISRAEL.

>> UKRAINE, ANOTHER CRISIS.

LET'S LET'S JUST AND PRESIDENT BIDEN A REMARK ABOUT THIS.

YOU KNOW, 0.

>> MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO PROTECT THEIR PEOPLE TODAY AND ALWAYS.

THE SECURITY PACKAGE I'M SENDING TO CONGRESS AND ASKING CONGRESS TO IS AN UNPRECEDENTED COMMITMENT ISRAEL'S SECURITY THAT WILL SHARPEN.

ISRAEL'S QUALITATIVE MILITARY EDGE, WHICH WE'VE COMMITTED TO.

>> CONGRESSMAN JACKSON SEEMS LIKE THERE'S ELEMENTS OF BOTH PARTIES THAT ARE VERY WARY OF SENDING MORE AID, ESPECIALLY TO UKRAINE, BUT PERHAPS ALSO THE ISSUES ARE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THAT PACKAGE.

>> YES, THERE IS.

CURRENTLY WITH FORECAST IS THAT A TERM WAR UKRAINE AND THIS RULE BEACH, INTO ONE OF APPROPRIATION SPENDING UP A CUSHION.

THERE WILL BE SOME CHALLENGES THEY KNOW WHO NO MISTAKE ABOUT THERE'S A GROWING SENSE URGENCY OF WHAT WE'RE DOING FOR DISTRICTS THAT HOME RIGHT NOW THERE'S RISING HOMELESSNESS.

WE HAVE A IMMIGRATION ISSUE IS GOING TO BE VERY SEVERE.

WE'VE GOT PEOPLE THAT ARE SLEEPING OUTSIDE IN TENTS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND IT'S GETTING DOWN TO 30 DEGREES AT NIGHT, WHICH IS GOING CREATE SOME PEOPLE ARE SLEEPING OUTSIDE ON THE GROUND IN A TENT.

PEOPLE THAT AREN'T EVEN USED TO THIS WEATHER BALLOON THAT PEOPLE LIKE US THAT ARE FROM THIS REGION THAT ARE USED TO THE WEATHER WE IS THAT THOSE CITED 30 DEGREE WEATHER.

THIS IS GOING TO BRING ON THE WILL BRING ON LEBRON QAEDA'S OTHER PUT PEOPLE TO THE HOSPITAL.

SO IT'S ALSO GOING TO A HEALTH HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE FOR CONSTITUENTS.

WE MUST STOP AS I'VE WRITTEN A LETTER OFF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ALSO OUT TO THE HOMELAND SECURITY AND OFTEN PARTNER OF JUSTICE.

I'M ASKING HIM TO INVESTIGATE GOVERNOR GREG WITH A U.S.

SECTION 13.

24 OF US COAL ON HUMAN SMUGGLING ON CHARLES SMUGGLING.

YOU CANNOT MOVE PEOPLE AROUND THE UNITED STATES MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 INTO THAT ARE COMING SPECIFICALLY TRYING TO CIRCUMVENT UNDER CUT THE LINE.

IMMIGRATION IS A TIME TO TRY TO GET GOING.

INVESTIGATION INTO TEXAS GOVERNOR ABBOTT WHO HAS BEEN VERY RESPONSIBLE FOR SENDING UP MIGRANTS ARE CAUSING THE CURRENT CRISIS.

CONGRESSWOMAN RAMIREZ, TO THAT END IN BRIGHTON PARK.

>> THERE'S GOING TO BE A BIG MEETING ABOUT BUILDING IS WINTERIZED IN THAT COMMUNITY.

>> IS IS THIS A PLAN YOU'RE IN FAVOR OF YOU SEE ANY OTHER RELIEF FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO THAT'S BASICALLY BEGGING FOR MONEY, BEGGING FOR HELP HERE >> WELL, I THINK JUST ACTUAL CONGRESS INJECTIONS SAYING IN ADDITION TO MONEY FOR ISRAEL, HOPEFULLY A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY.

HE MANAGED RUN IT FOR GAZA.

UKRAINE AND TAIWAN IS ALSO SOME MONEY AROUND BORDER.

I'M TRYING TO GIVE DETAILS OF SOME OF ITEMS THAT THEY PUT INTO IT.

BUT ONE OF THOSE THINGS IS FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER AND SUPPORT.

THERE'S 1.4 BILLION DOLLARS FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER SUPPORT.

WE'RE WORKING REALLY CLOSELY WITH THE ADMINISTRATION TO INCREASE THAT AMOUNT TO COME TO SANCTION STATES.

CITIES LIKE CHICAGO.

THE REALITY IS THAT WE NEED A LOT MORE THAN WHAT WE'VE RECEIVED TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF SAFETY OF HOUSING HERE.

AS CONGRESSMAN JACKSON IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

BUT I'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO SEE WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE AND SECURITY AND IDENTIFY BRICKS AND MORTAR PROPERTIES THAT WERE WORKING WITH AND ENSURING THAT WE HAVE SAFE QUALITY HOUSING FOR PEOPLE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROVIDING ADEQUATE PERIOD FUNDING TO DO SOME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO YOU'RE TRYING TO GET SOME INCREASED FUNDING HERE INTO THAT AID PACKAGE TO COME TO CHICAGO, CONGRESSMAN JACKSON IS THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN CHICAGO LEADERS BE CONFIDENT THAT THEY'RE GOING TO SEE SOME RELIEF?

>> WAS CERTAINLY PUSHING FOR CONGRESS MIRROR THAT.

I REALLY RESENT A LIGHT ON THE BASELINE STARTED BY 1.0, 4 BILLION DOLLARS PUSH FOR 5 EVEN 10 BILLION DOLLARS.

THIS IS TO DO WITH THE OLD BILLS OF THE CITY'S ANNOUNCEMENT.

BUT LET ME REMIND YOU, CHICAGO, THE SANCTUARY BUT ILLINOIS, THE SANCTUARY STATE, WE NEED TO SHARE THIS THIS CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY TO HELP REPOPULATE SOME OF OUR CITIES AND TOWNS THAT HAVE SHRINKING POPULATION.

THE STATE OUGHT TO DO MORE TO ABSORB.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WISCONSIN, I MEAN, IN THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THEIR STATUS STEPPED IN A MAJOR WAY.

SO I THINK WE SHOULD NOT JUST SOME OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

WE HAVE MANY GREAT SMALL TOWNS ACROSS THE STATE THAT CAN ALSO ASSIST.

AND WE SHOULD ALSO LEAN ON THEM.

THIS IS A STATE VERY IMPORTANT TO POINT IN THAT CITY COUNCILORS HAVE CALLED ON THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR HELP.

ALL.

>> ALL OF THE ABOVE.

WE THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

CONGRESSMAN JONATHAN JACKSON, CONGRESSWOMAN DAILY RAMIREZ.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU HAVING DO YOU?

AND UP NEXT, A CITY PROGRAM HELPING DRUG OFFENDERS GET TREATMENT.

BUT FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

GETTING ARRESTED FOR ANYTHING IS A DIFFICULT EXPERIENCE THAT CAN LEAD TO LIFELONG PROBLEMS.

BUT FOR HUNDREDS OF CHICAGOANS ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES GETTING ARRESTED MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO THEIR LIVES.

THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S THE THING FINALLY GOT THEM CLEAN.

THANKS TO A CITY WIDE PROGRAM THAT DIVERTS THEM INTO TREATMENT INSTEAD OF JAIL.

THE PROGRAM IS GETTING SOME POSITIVE RESULTS.

AND NOW SOME ADVOCATES ONE EXPANDED.

>> 71 YEAR-OLD GLORIA BRANCHES BEEN COMING TO THRESHOLD FOR TWICE WEEKLY THERAPY SESSIONS SINCE JULY BRANCHES ARE RECOVERING DRUG ADDICT AND SAYS SHE BELIEVES SHE'S TURNED A CORNER.

>> THAT'S MY TOOLS AND DO WHAT SUPPOSED TO DO.

THINGS IS GREAT FOR ME.

>> BRENT WAS ARRESTED LATE LAST YEAR ON DRUG POSSESSION CHARGES WHEN SHE WAS TAKEN TO THE POLICE STATION BRANCHES OFFER THE OPTION TO HAVE HER CHARGES DROPPED.

IF SHE AGREED TO MEET WITH A DRUG COUNSELOR, IT'S THANKS TO THE CITY'S NARCOTICS ARREST DIVERSION PROGRAM, AN INITIATIVE THAT LAUNCHED IN 2018 TO OFFER THOSE ARRESTED FOR LOW-LEVEL DRUG OFFENSES.

A CHANCE TO HAVE THEIR CHARGES DROPPED THAT IF THEY AGREE TO MEET WITH A DRUG COUNSELOR THRESHOLD, A SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT ORGANIZATION HAS COUNSELORS EMBEDDED IN.

25 POLICE STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

THE APPROACH IS TO REALLY TO MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE, YOU KNOW, TO TO ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP TO CARRY HOPE, TO CREATE HOPE AND TO CREATE A PATHWAY.

JEFF GILBERT HELPS ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM AT THRESHOLD AND SAYS HE BELIEVES IT WORKS BECAUSE IT TARGETS PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE HAVE SOUGHT HELP.

NOBODY THINKS WHEN THEY WAKE UP IN THE MORNING.

GOING TO JAIL TODAY.

SO I THINK I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE GET REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS BEING A SECOND CHANCE.

BUT THE PROGRAM IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO ABOUT 5% OF ALL DRUG OFFENDERS.

ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME IN 10 YEARS AND ARE NOT DEEMED A THREAT TO THE PUBLIC ARE ELIGIBLE.

THEY HAPPEN TO BE ARRESTED WITH DRUGS AND INSTEAD OF BEING SENT TO JAIL, THEY WILL CONNECT WITH THE COUNCIL.

AURORA IS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CRIME LAB.

HE'S BEEN STUDYING THE EFFICACY OF THE PROGRAM.

SHE SAYS SO FAR HE'S SHOWN POSITIVE RESULTS.

THE PUBLIC VIA BE GREETED US AND BOTH WERE DRUNK.

>> CHARGES AND FOR BIDEN CRIME CHARGES GOES YOU KNOW, IF YOU ME THE PROGRAM SO WE CAN THE SUPER PROMISING SIGNS, RIGHT?

INDICATES THAT THE PROGRAM MIGHT BE REDUCING THE DEMAND FOR DRUGS AND IT'S ALL TO REDUCING VIOLENT CRIME.

IT'S IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY, AT THE SAME TIME, AND SHE SAYS THE DEFENDERS HAVE NO OBLIGATION TO CONTINUE THEIR TREATMENT.

ALL THEY HAVE TO DO TO GET CHARGES DROPPED IS AGREED TO THE INITIAL MEETING IN THE POLICE STATION WITH THE COUNSELOR.

>> BUT ACCORDING TO A CRIME LAB REVIEW, 79% HAVE CHOSEN TO COME BACK THE NEXT DAY AND 50% ARE STILL IN TREATMENT.

30 DAYS LATER, BRANDT SAYS SHE DIDN'T IMMEDIATELY AGREE TO COME TO TREATMENT UPON HER ARREST BUT CHANGED HER MIND AFTER GOING TO JAIL, YOU KNOW, WAY BEING ARRESTED THAT DAY.

>> WAS IT A GOOD THING THAT HAPPENED?

YES, YES.

>> I BELIEVE IN HIGH UP HOW I THAT TO SAY MY LIFE.

I REALLY BELIEVE THAT.

>> AURORA SAYS SHE BELIEVES THE PROGRAM SHOULD BE EXPANDED NOW BY INCREASING THE POOL OF ELIGIBLE DRUG OFFENDERS.

ACCORDING TO CITY STATISTICS, 700 PEOPLE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE NARCOTICS ARREST DIVERSION PROGRAM SINCE 2018.

THIS COMES AS CHICAGO IS NOW LOSING MORE PEOPLE TO OPIOIDS, THEN HOMICIDE AND IS COOK COUNTY SET A RECORD FOR OPIOID DEATHS LAST YEAR WITH 2000 PRELIMINARY NUMBERS FROM THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE SHOW.

THE COUNTY IS ON PACE TO SURPASS THAT AND SET A NEW TRAGIC RECORD THIS YEAR.

WHY THE SPIKE NOW AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT HERE WITH THEIR THOUGHTS ON WHAT WORKS AND DOESN'T IN COMBATING THE OPIOID CRISIS ARE NICK ROADIE CHIEF OF THE CHICAGO HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA.

DAN, LET'S TAKE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF HAYMARKET SAINT OR A SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FACILITY.

AND JAMES STEWART, A FORMER CLIENT AT HAYMARKET CENTER.

NOW, CASE MANAGER IN THEIR ADDICTION PROGRAM.

WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO CHICAGO TONIGHT OF TALK TO BEFORE ON THIS ISSUE, STARTING WITH UNICA IN YOUR ROLE, YOU KIND OF OVERSEE ALL THE FEDERAL AND LOCAL EFFORTS TO COMBAT THE DRUGS AND DRUG TRAFFICKING.

SO THIS DIVERSION PROGRAM WE'RE TALKING ABOUT US TO MENTAL AND STARTING THIS.

IT'S EXPANDED SINCE ITS START AS A WORKING.

WELL, OBVIOUSLY, BY THE TESTIMONY YOU HEARD THAT IT'S WORKING FOR SOME IT'S WORKING FOR A MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THAT GO INTO >> YOU KNOW, ITS TO ITS TARGETED TOWARDS PEOPLE WHO USUALLY I'M GET ARRESTED FOR AN ANCILLARY CRIME.

NOT 4 ACTUALLY LAW ENFORCEMENT DOESN'T TARGET USERS FOR DRUG POSSESSION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WELL, YEAH, I MEAN, USUALLY THEY'RE ARRESTED FOR ANCILLARY CRIME AND IS FOUND TO HAVE DRUGS ON THEM.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

WE TARGET DRUG TRAFFICKERS.

OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT SET OF RULES AND THAT WE FOLLOW.

BUT AND THEY'RE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A PROGRAM LIKE THIS.

I MEAN, THE HIGH LEVEL OFFENSES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXACTLY.

>> AGAIN, LESS THAN WE MENTION, ONLY 3% OF OFFENDERS.

OVERALL DEFENDERS CAN BE DIVERTED A PROGRAM LIKE THIS.

DO YOU BELIEVE THERE'S ROOM TO EXPAND THAT TO MORE PEOPLE, PERHAPS FOR HIGHER LEVEL DRUG OFFENSES BECAUSE YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT THE NEED FOR MORE TREATMENT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE ISSUE HERE IS IS THAT YOU HAVE YOU HAVE A SYSTEM OF CARE THAT'S NEVER BEEN EXPANDED AND THAT'S TREATMENT.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE REST OF VERSION PROGRAMS, IT'S AN OUTSTANDING PROGRAM TO HAVE.

BUT YOU'VE GOT TO ALSO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE TREATMENT PROVIDERS TO RECEIVE THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

SO WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE PREDICTORS OF SUCCESS IN JAIL DIVERSION PROGRAMS THAT IS CAN YOU ADDRESS ANY PREVIOUS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE?

CAN YOU SOME ZOOS TO SEE SHOE AND CAN YOU ADDRESS ANY OTHER KIND OF ISSUES RELATIVE TO POVERTY?

SO IF YOU DON'T HAVE PROGRAMS AND EXPAND TREATMENT TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES DIRECTLY, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME.

IT'S NOT JUST THE DRUG ISSUE.

IT'S ALL THE ISSUES THAT ARE CONNECTED TO THAT.

AS YOU MENTIONED, JAMES, TO ARE YOU HAVE TOLD ME IN THE PAST YOU ARE OPIOIDS LIKE HEROIN FOR FOR A COUPLE OF DECADES.

WHAT WHAT LED YOU TO TURN THE CORNER?

WHAT WAS THE THING THAT GOT YOU TO KICK IT?

>> ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM.

THE NAME IN HAYMARKET THE DRUG COURT SYSTEM.

IT WAS BASICALLY LIKE A CHOICE.

NEED TO.

EXCEPT TREATMENT.

TAKING A CHANCE THAT ROUTE AND ACCEPT A TREATMENT.

WE STARTED OUT TO BE THE BEST THING I COULD IT.

UNDER THE ARE HELPING OTHERS.

YES, I AND THAT'S GOT TO BE VERY GRATIFYING.

SO BROUGHT UP THE FACT THAT ACCORDING TO PRELIMINARY NUMBERS FROM THE EMMYS OFFICE.

>> A COOK COUNTY COULD SEE A RECORD AMOUNT OF OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS THIS YEAR.

HERE'S HERE'S THE RISE IN FENTANYL-RELATED OVERDOSE DEATHS LAST YEAR SET A RECORD AT 18.

25.

THAT'S 90% OF ALL THE OPIOID S FENTANYL.

LOOK AT THAT ASTRONOMICAL RISE OF FROM 2015.

NICK, WHAT'S BEHIND THIS?

>> WELL, YOU JUST POINTED TO IT ON THE GRAPH THERE'S A HUGE SHIFT ORGANIC OPIOIDS BEING REPLACED BY SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS THAT ARE MUCH MORE POWERFUL AND MUCH MORE DEADLY.

A WIN-WIN FOR DRUG TRAFFICKERS BECAUSE FENTANYL IS IS PRODUCED IN A LAB IS EASY TO MAKE IT OFF THE WAY FOR A GROWING SEASON AND THEIR PROFIT MARGIN IS IS 100 FOLD COMPARED TO WHAT IT WOULD BE.

I'M SELLING REGULAR HEROIN.

IN FACT, WE'RE FINDING NOW THAT PRETTY MUCH FENTANYL IS COMPLETELY IN ALMOST EVERY ASPECT OF THE DRUG SUPPLY.

WE'RE OVERDOSES GO UP.

IT STARTED AS A GRAPH SHOWED THE 2015 ACTUALLY STARTED ABOUT 2013.

WE SEE THE RISE STARTING TO GO UP AND THE OTHER ASPECT THAT'S REALLY AFFECTING KIDS IS THE COUNTERFEIT PILLS, WHICH IS A HUGE PROBLEM.

AND SO IT'S FENTANYL THAT'S BEING FOUND IN ALMOST ANY POSSIBLE CONCEIVABLE DRUG.

IF SOMEONE IS BUYING ILLICITLY ON THE STREET.

>> DAN, LET'S SAY HOW DOES THAT COMPLICATE TREATMENT FOR THIS?

IT DOESN'T REALLY COMPLICATE TREATMENT NECESSARILY AS LONG AS YOU HAVE AN AGENCY OR PROGRAM THAT'S COMPREHENSIVE IN NATURE.

AND THAT IS ADDRESSING ALL THE CONDITIONS IN INDIVIDUAL PRESENTS WITH.

>> RIGHT NOW, WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS A LOT OF PRIMARY MEDICAL CONDITIONS ARE COMPLICATING DRUGS OF CHOICE.

SO THAT IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE THAT YOU HAVE FOR TREATMENT PROVIDERS.

BUT BUT HERE'S HERE'S INTERESTING PIECE HERE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE EPIDEMIC OVER TIME OVER THE LAST 10, 20 YEARS.

WE'VE NEVER TREATED SUMS.

USE DISORDERS IS A PRIMARY CARE CONDITION.

WE'VE NEVER TREATED IT AS A CHRONIC RELAPSING CONDITION UNTIL WE DO.

YOU'RE GOING TO START BEGINNING TO SEE A LOT OF DIFFERENT DRUGS, REEMERGE.

YOU KNOW, YOU HAD COCAINE 20 YEARS AGO.

YOU HAD METHAMPHETAMINE 10 YEARS AGO.

SO RIGHT NOW ON THE DIFFERENT COASTS, YOU HAVE METHAMPHETAMINE IS MAJOR DRUG OF CHOICE.

SO WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE THE TIME RIGHT NOW TO START TREATING SEVEN'S USE DISORDERS AS A PRIMARY CARE IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THE DRUG THE OVERDOSES ARE STILL GOING TO HAPPEN UNTIL THERE'S MORE OF A MEDICAL ATTENTION ON THIS.

>> JAMES DID YOU ENCOUNTER FENTANYL ON THE STREET WHEN WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO BUY DRUGS JUST DO IT.

AND WHAT WAS THE EFFECT OF THAT WOULD WOULD THAT DO TO A 10 TIMES?

>> HEAR ONE THE WITHDRAWALS ON MAN.

IT VERY THEY'RE VERY SEVERE WHEN WE SEE THE AMOUNT OF OVERDOSE DEATHS SETTING RECORDS.

NOW WHEN YOU THINK IT'S IT'S A RECORD RIGHT NOW.

>> IT'S CHEAP.

AND VERY ACCESSIBLE TO MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE TO THE STREETS AND THIS IS CHEAPER.

FOREMAN IS IS MORE WIDESPREAD.

IT WAS WE TALKED ABOUT FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH STANDPOINT THE WAY TO COMBAT THIS.

WHAT ABOUT FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDPOINT?

HOW DO YOU COMBAT?

>> THE RISING NUMBER OF FENTANYL ON THE STREET AND THEN THIS NEW DRUG, THIS ANIMAL DRUG XYLAZINE, WHICH IS ALSO VERY DEADLY.

YEAH.

AS JAMES MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A SAYING WE USE IS OVERWHELMING SUPPLY DRIVES DEMAND.

>> AND A LOT OF THE SITUATIONS.

SO WE ATTACK IT FROM EVERY POSSIBLE OUR WAY WE 360 DEGREE APPROACH.

WE'RE TRYING TO SLOW DOWN THE SUPPLY.

STOP AS MUCH AS THE SUPPLY AS POSSIBLE.

ON THE BACK END FROM THE HEIGHT OF PROGRAM UNDER THE OFFICE NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY, WE'RE TRYING TO WORK ON TREATMENT AND PREVENTION PROJECTS.

WE UNDERSTOOD CA GO HIGHER.

WE HAVE A PROGRAM THAT WORKS WITH CANNED OR HELP THAT GOES INTO THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS PREVENTION TO THE CHILDREN.

IT'S NOT A DEER PROGRAM.

IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

IT WAS DEVELOPED BY NEUROSCIENTIST, EDUCATORS AND TREATMENT PROVIDERS.

WE THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GET THEIR TREATMENT RESPONSE.

TEAM THAT GOES OUT HIM AND GOES INTO THE STREET WORKS WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING AN ISSUE, HELPS THEM GET INTO TREATMENT AS WELL AS DOES A LEAVE BEHIND PROGRAM WITH NARCAN AND OTHER VALUABLE INFORMATION THAT THEY CAN USE TO GET HELP.

AS YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, WE WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN STARTING WHAT IS NOW THE CITYWIDE IN PROBABLY THE BIGGEST DIVERSION IN TREATMENT PROGRAM IN THE COUNTRY, IN THE SEDITION ON THOSE COUNSELORS THAT WE MENTIONED, THAT STORY THERE IN 25 POLICE DISTRICTS.

NOW THEY STARTED OFF.

AND ONLY 2, I THERE'S SOME SETTLEMENT MONEY.

>> AIMED AT COMBATING THIS AND YOUR ORGANIZATION HAYMARKET, DAN, IT GOT THIS DISTINCTION THAT CAN GET FEDERAL MONEY IS THERE IS ENOUGH MONEY COMING INTO TREAT THIS AS A HEALTH CONDITION IS AS YOU WOULD LIKE, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH BUT IT DECIDES NOT ENOUGH MONEY.

THERE IS NOT.

>> A LENS TO LOOK THROUGH AND SOME MEDICAL APPROACH.

THAT'S WHY MARKETS NRA THING STANDS OUT IN CHICAGO BECAUSE WE WE ACTUALLY ADDRESS THAT PRIMARY CARE CONDITION THAT THEY PRESENT WITH.

BUT WHAT YOU NEED NOW IS YOU ACTUALLY NEED TREATMENT ON DEMAND.

NOT INDIVIDUAL.

WHEN THEY WALK IN, THEY NEED TO GET SERVICES IMMEDIATELY SENT NOT EVEN WAITING TILL THEY GET ARRESTED NIGHT.

YOU'VE GOT TO GET FAR ENOUGH UPSTREAM.

SO THIS IS WHAT WE KNOW.

WE KNOW THAT A LONGER PERSONS INVOLVED IN SOME ORDERS THE PRODUCT THAT THE ASPECT THAT THEY WILL BE INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS VERY, VERY HIGH.

WE HAVE TO GET WE HAVE TO GET ENOUGH UPSTREAM TO GIVE PEOPLE THE DIFFERENT DOSAGES OF TREATMENT SO THEY DON'T END TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VERY POOR DISCUSSION.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU ALL BEING HERE TO TALK WITH US.

NIC ROADIE.

DAN, LET'S STICK.

AND JAMES STEWART, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE APPRECIATE THANK YOU.

AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5, 30 10.

AND NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE IN CHICAGO TONIGHT.

>> A PAIR OF THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND ENJOY THIS WONDERFUL EVENING.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY AND CLIFFORD LAW, OFFICES PERSONAL INJURY, LAW