Naperville Sun

By David Sharos

The heroin problem in Naperville, and throughout the area, has been well documented, in both numerous newspaper articles and at many community forums held in the city.

Now, the Illinois State Crime Commission is looking to get tough on the growing problem of heroin use here in DuPage County and believes that cash — and lots of it — will be a way to help rein in drug dealers and the spread of addiction.

The Illinois State Crime Commission has taken what it calls an “unprecedented move” of offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone supplying heroin to a juvenile in DuPage County.

“We’ve seen before that money works,” said Jerry Elsner, executive director of the Illinois State Crime Commission. “About 15 years ago there was a woman murdered in Addison who had an unborn baby taken out of her and we put out a $10,000 reward. Within 20 minutes, we got a phone call with information that led to an arrest and a conviction. We want the drug dealers out there to know we have money available and plenty of it.”

Elsner said he believes the $1,000 incentive money will convince drug dealers “that the cost of doing business here in DuPage County is too high.”

“The problem now for the dealers is that their customer might also be the person who winds up getting them arrested,” he said. “With the reward money, the dealers can’t be certain they’re not selling to someone who might turn around and dial 911 and have them arrested the very next minute. It leaves the dealers very uncertain who they are dealing with.”

The heroin problem in DuPage County continues to grow exponentially, Elsner said, which is why the commission is ramping up its efforts.

Click here for the full report from the Naperville Sun.

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