Substance Use Prevention & Recovery (SUPR)


What is SUPR? 

  • The Substance Use Prevention & Recovery (SUPR) program is a division of the Illinois Department of Human Services with the goal of a system of care for substance use disorders where barriers access to treatment and recovery are removed. 

  • SUPR’s system of care involves screening, assessment, referral, intervention, and treatment for individuals with a substance use disorder, those in recovery, and those who are at-risk.

  • Contracting numerous community-based organizations throughout Illinois, SUPR is able to meet the needs of diverse communities and populations related to substance use.

Why does SUPR matter? 

  • Despite lower rates of substance abuse and addiction, Asian Americans who are in need of substance use treatment often do not receive the care that they need.

  • 1.5 million Asian/NHOPI (Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander) people aged 12 and older had a substance use disorder but 99.3% of these people did not receive treatment. 

  • Low utilization of substance abuse treatment among Asian Americans are often due to:

    • Cultural values and perceptions of receiving substance use treatment

    • Lack of culturally competent care

    • Language accessibility 

Our Strategic Interventions

  • Provide educational workshops for community members (adults and youth) covering a variety of topics, including mental health and substance use, stress management, coping with emotions and more

  • Provide consultations to community partners that include: 

    • Assessment of organization's needs 

    • Help with SUPR licensing 

    • Help with outreach and engagement of community members 

  • Increase access to substance use and mental health services

    • Build a network of local substance use treatment and mental health providers that serve Asian American communities in Chicago

    • Create a referral system for community partners to connect people to care

    • Develop a community resource guide with educational content and a directory of services 

Community Partners