Good News on Overdose Deaths in Indiana, but Urgent Action Needed
In a promising development, Indiana residents are witnessing a nearly 22% drop in overdose deaths in 2023 compared to 2022, as reported by the Indiana Department of Health. However, with over 2,000 overdose fatalities last year—significantly surpassing pre-2020 levels—public health officials maintain that an ongoing crisis persists, predominantly fueled by opioid use.
Cris Henderson, a research associate and project director for the Citizen Opioid Responders program at Indiana University, emphasizes the urgency of the situation. “Three out of four of those deaths involved opioids, and we still have thousands of Hoosiers dying from these incidents,” said Henderson, highlighting the importance of training community members to use naloxone, an overdose reversal drug.
The Citizen Opioid Responders program, which is both free and online, aims to equip individuals with the knowledge to successfully administer naloxone during emergencies. Participants learn about overdose recognition, scene safety, and Good Samaritan laws, all crucial for effective intervention. The program recently received $23,500 from the IU Foundation to extend its reach across five campuses and several counties in Indiana.
Dr. Eric Yazel, Clark County health officer, commended the program’s impact, noting that local overdose deaths are projected to decline by about 18% this year. “This initiative exemplifies how a university can collaborate with local communities to address pressing health issues,” Yazel said.
Henderson hopes that as more people complete training through the program, familiarity with naloxone administration will grow, akin to skills in first aid or CPR. "This program increases the likelihood that lives will be saved in our communities as we normalize naloxone training," she stated. The free training can be accessed via the Prevention Insights website.
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Photo credit news.iu.edu
