A Way Out

Program Overview

UPDATED PROCESS AS OF 3/26/2020
Several temporary operational changes have taken place
with the A Way Out Program in Lake County due to the Coronavirus pandemic and current stay-in-place order issued by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.  

Prospective participants seeking help can still request assistance from
A Way Out at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and police departments in Mundelein and Round Lake Park.

The police departments and volunteers from the Lake County Opioid Initiative will hold a screening with the prospective patient via phone or tele-conferencing. Once a treatment level of care placement has been determined, volunteer support advocates will still provide transportation using enhanced safety protocols to avoid the spread of COVID-19.  

Due to limited resources and the increasingly low capacity at local residential treatment programs, the Lake County Opioid Initiative will be utilizing more outpatient providers for care. For people who are uninsured,Lake County Opioid Initiative can provide funding for outpatient services andshort-term housing.
You will NOT be turned away
even if you are unable to pay for treatment due to lack of insurance or financial resources.

Program partners are able to accommodate a variety of circumstances and accept different insurance plans.
Anyone can utilize A Way Out to get connected to treatment resources
regardless of insurance enrollment or ability to pay.

Every effort will be made to match participants with an available treatment provider who accepts the participant’s commercial insurance, Medicaid plan, or has financial assistance programs.

Many Illinois residents who have no insurance and no income or ability to pay will qualify for assistance through the State of Illinois Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (DASA).

Participants will be informed of any out of pocket costs by the treatment provider.
Participants will NOT be criminally charged.
There is no need to fear arrest or prosecution for seeking participation in this program.

A Way Out

Program Steps

Find A Way Out in a few easy steps:

  1. Locate a participating police department

  2. Walk in through the main doors of the participating police department nearest you

  3. Tell the clerk at the reception window that you want to participate in “A Way Out”. If you are seeking help after open lobby hours, locate the call box on the wall and tell dispatch you want to participate in “A Way Out.” A program representative will be with you to take you through the next steps.

  4. Instructions for Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Highway Patrol, and Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit ONLY (for other agencies across Lake County click here):
    ‍
    During regular working hours, which are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, participants may come to one of three Sheriff’s Department locations including:

The Sheriff’s staff will contact a deputy to work with the participant. If a participant reaches out for assistance and has no transportation, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office will dispatch a deputy to pick up the participant.

After regular business hours, participants may call (847) 549-5200 and request A Way Out. A deputy will be dispatched to the participant’s location if no transportation is available.

A Way Out

Participating Police Departments

‍Please note: “A Way Out” will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. While all department lobbies will be open all day and night, some departments will not have an attendant available for certain shifts. In this case, the call box located in the lobby or between the main doors, will connect you to dispatch. Follow the instructions listed on the call box and tell the dispatch operator you want to participate in “A Way Out.” A program representative will be with you to take you through the next steps. You can visit each department’s website for hours of operation information. Again, you can still take advantage of the program at any hour of the day or night, everyday of the year.

About Us

The Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Task Force and the Lake County Opioid Initiative are a 501c3.

Quick Links

LCOITask ForceA Way Out

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