Governor Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration announced Thursday that the state will fund a $1.3 million distribution of the opioid reversal agent naloxone to ensure the medication reaches Hoosiers who are at-risk of drug overdose. Indiana reported a 33% increase in fatal overdoses in 2020, according to provisional data released in July by the CDC.
Overdose Lifeline, Inc., an Indiana nonprofit dedicated to helping those affected by substance use disorder through advocacy, harm reduction, and prevention, will distribute 35,000 doses of naloxone to first responders, families, friends and others who are likely to be the first on the scene if someone overdoses. The organization also intends to purchase and place 215 additional NaloxBox units across the state and fund other harm reduction strategies. Funds were made available by the FSSA Division of Mental Health and Addiction’s state opioid response grant.
Already this year, Overdose Lifeline, Inc. and the Indiana Department of Health have distributed more than 40,900 doses of naloxone to individuals, first responders, local health departments, and other distribution entities. First responders, families, caregivers and other individuals who would like to receive a supply of naloxone can register online. A list of resources around naloxone may be found at the Indiana Department of Health website.