If you or a loved one are struggling, we can help! Call us today at (855) 722-6926
If you or a loved one are struggling, we can help! Call us today at (855) 722-6926

Combating the Effects of the War on Drugs: Illinois’s R3 Program

Combating the Effects of the War on Drugs: Illinois’s R3 Program
 

Addiction is a disease, but not everyone will get help for their substance abuse problems with a PHP or another treatment program.

Because people who are addicted will do just about anything to get their fix, these substances are sold illegally on the street. The result is a never-ending cycle of illegal drug trade and police involvement to try and combat it.

Unfortunately, this war on drugs has caused devastation for people and families across the state of Illinois and the world. Although these problems cannot be completely reversed, there are steps that can be taken to make up for those who continually seem to get caught in the crossfire. To help with these efforts, Illinois has implemented a special, new program called R3.

The Restore, Reinvest, & Renew Program

The Restore, Reinvest, and Renew program or R3 program is designed to help the communities in Illinois that have been most impacted by the war on drugs recover and move forward. The R3 program hands out grant money to support a variety of programs that target and help these groups and areas. Some possible applications of the R3 grant money involve violence prevention, health services, legal aid, economic development, addiction treatment, and reentry from the criminal justice system. The goal of the R3 program in Illinois is to help areas that have been hit hardest by drugs and their secondary problems including drug violence, unemployment, prison time, youth education, and addiction. With time, supporters of the R3 program hope that it can help close the gap between these areas most affected by the war on drugs and other, less impacted areas in the state.

In order to fund the R3 grant program, the state looked to recreational marijuana. When Illinois legalized recreational marijuana earlier this year, the state added provisions to the new law that required that a quarter of the revenue from these sales be used to fund the R3 program. This way, recreational cannabis sales would be giving back to the community.

Although the coronavirus has impacted several industries, the recreational cannabis industry in Illinois is still going strong with $147 million in sales from January to May.1 With such high sales, on May 18, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) announced $31.5 million in grant money to be distributed to qualifying organizations for the R3 program. With time, Illinois will be able to see the impact of the R3 program and how effective the program is in aiding its targeted communities.

As a drug detox center in Illinois, we understand just how destructive drugs can be. They can tear apart families, cause legal problems, and destroy a person’s life.



Do not let this happen to you or your loved one. If you are ready to get help or want to learn more about how you can get your loved one into treatment, call 888-280-4763. At Banyan Heartland, we want to help you and your loved ones move forward.


Sources:

  1. Chicago Sun Times - Illinois’ high times keep rolling amid coronavirus pandemic as recreational pot sales top $37 million in April
 
Alyssa
Alyssa
Alyssa who is the National Director of Digital Marketing, joined the Banyan team in 2016, bringing her five-plus years of experience. She has produced a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. Through strategic marketing campaign concepts, Alyssa has established Banyan as an industry leader and a national household name.