The Naloxone Project
Illinois Chapter

This chapter is currently establishing partnerships with medical organizations and harm reduction agencies in the state. At this time, The Naloxone Project is providing advisory support to existing programs in Illinois. This includes assisting organizations in becoming DOPP (Drug Overdose Prevention Program) providers, which enables them to receive free, state-funded naloxone.

5

Major Institution Partners

6,813

Known ED Visits Due to Opioid Overdose in 2026

What Illinois
has Accomplished

Since this chapter serves in an advisory position, we celebrate the successes of Illinois’ various programs throughout the state while recognizing that that success originates from the hard work of hundreds of dedicated individuals.

    • In March, Don Stader connected with Steve Holtsford to initiate the chapter in Illinois.

    • The chapter capitalizes on the existing DOPP and available opioid abatement funds to focus on naloxone distribution in emergency departments.

    • The chapter accomplished its goal of lowering the cost of naloxone for the Illinois distributors

Partners of the Illinois Chapter

  • Illinois Department of Human Service & Drug Overdose Prevention Program (DOPP)

  • Illinois Hospital Association

  • Illinois Board of Pharmacy

Illinois Leadership

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Dr. Steve Holtsford- State Chair

Dr. Holtsford holds an MD from the University of Illinois-Chicago, where he also completed a residency in emergency and internal medicine (EM/IM).  In addition to his EM/IM board certification, he has been board certified in addiction medicine since 2019.  Dr. Holtsford’s interest in addiction treatment and advocacy comes from his time as an ER physician, witnessing the ravages of drugs and alcohol on people in the community.  Since obtaining board certification in addiction medicine, he has also trained other providers, advocated for better care for OUD patients in the ER, and worked to provide care to patients in the criminal justice system.  Dr. Holtsford is on staff at Northwestern Delnor Hospital in Geneva; the Medical Director of Lighthouse Recovery, an outpatient SUD clinic in St. Charles; the Illinois Medical Director of Bright Heart Health, an OUD treatment provider via telemedicine; and a member of the Kane County Opioid Task Force.