Putnam County, IL

Putnam, Marshall, & Stark Counties

Illinois

Rural | Population: 22,790

The opioid epidemic has severely impacted rural communities in central Illinois, including Marshall, Putnam, and Stark counties. These areas face significant challenges due to high poverty rates, limited access to treatment services, and increasing prevalence of dangerous substances like fentanyl and xylazine. In 2024, 38-65% of felony charges across the three counties were related to drugs or alcohol. Within the criminal justice system, over 50% of probation cases require referrals for substance use treatment, highlighting the urgent need for in-custody and community-based interventions to address substance use disorders (SUD) and reduce recidivism. 

Key COSSUP Initiatives

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Introduce MAT services using FDA-approved medications (naltrexone, buprenorphine) for both community-based and in-custody populations. 

prevention programming

Monthly youth support groups and leadership training through the Cebrin Goodman program will address the needs of children impacted by substance misuse. 

peer recovery support services

Peer specialists will provide individualized support pre-arrest, during incarceration, and post-release.   

community engagement

Annual campaigns will facilitate the safe disposal of unused medications with law enforcement oversight. 

Monthly outreach events will distribute naloxone kits, provide substance use education, and promote stigma reduction through campaigns. 

Anticipated Benefits of Project

• Reduction in overdose fatalities

  This project aims to reduce overdose fatalities through access to timely and effective treatment, including medications for opioid use disorders (MOUD).

• Increased public safety

  This project aims to increase public safety through seamlessly transitioning individuals from treatment in custody to community-based treatment. 

• Increased prevention services

  Prevent drug use before it happens by implementing evidence-based youth-focused initiatives.

Collaborative Partners

• Putnam County Sheriff’s Office

• The Tenth Judicial Court

• The Henry and Stark Health Department

• Marshall County

• Stark County

• Maitri Path to Wellness

• The Society of Growth Inc.

Project Director

Samantha McAvoy, CEO & Co-Founder
The Society of Growth, Inc.
samantha.mcavoy@societyofgrowth.org
309-648-4431

This project was supported by Grant No. 15PBJA23GK02258COAP awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.