Alcoholism and drug addiction are among the most serious health problems facing the people of the State of Illinois. One prominent characteristic of alcoholism and drug addiction is denial, which is the delusion of the alcoholic or drug addict that he or she will be able to control the use of alcohol or drugs. Successful treatment can be initiated only when the delusion self-control is shattered and the alcoholic or drug addict admits the hopelessness of his or her condition.
     The delusion of self-control can often be shattered, and successful treatment initiated years earlier than might otherwise be possible, by the use of the “intervention” process. This process involves confronting the alcoholic or drug addict with specific instances of misconduct or abnormal behavior caused by alcohol or drug use, as recited to the subject of the intervention by fact reporters such as: family members, friends, co-workers, employers or other concerned individuals who have first-hand knowledge of such incidents, and who are acting under the guidance of a trained “intervenor”.
     It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the State of Illinois to promote and encourage use of the intervention process to help initiate successful treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction. The intent of this Act is to further this goal by providing tort immunity to persons who participate in such interventions.