INDIANAPOLIS — A new initiative will help ensure people in all of Indiana's 92 counties will have 24/7 access to naloxone, a drug approved to reverse an opioid overdose.
The new partnership between the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration's Division of Mental and Health and Addiction and Overdose Lifeline, Inc. will roll out NaloxBox units in every county.
Businesses or community entities are able to request a NaloxBox to be installed in a highly visible area, according to a press release from the state. They will be responsible for monitoring the box daily and requesting refills after use.
“Making overdose response tools like naloxone readily available to any Hoosier who may encounter an individual suffering from an overdose is critical in addressing the drug epidemic,” Indiana Gov. Holcomb said in a press release. “We’re committed to raising awareness about the need for bystanders to carry this lifesaving drug, which is why we’ve made it available via so many avenues, oftentimes at no cost to Hoosiers.”
Each box will have six to eight doses, instructions, and referrals on treatment.
“Our mission is to save lives from a disease that has devastated communities across our state,” FSSA secretary Dr. Jennifer Sullivan said in a press release. “NaloxBoxes are just one innovative strategy we’re using to support Hoosiers with substance use disorders. By normalizing access to this overdose reversal tool, we’re reducing the stigma often associated with opioid overdose.”
Businesses or community entities who are interested in having a "NaloxBox" installed are asked to contact Justin Phillips, the founder and executive director of Overdose Lifeline, Inc. at justin@overdoselifelin.org.
In May 2020, Holcomb announced a $1 million collaboration with Overdose Lifeline, Inc. to distribute naloxone in Indiana. In the last eight months, more than 22,000 doses have been distributed.
Resources
If you or someone you know is dealing with a substance use related emergency, call 911.
For more information on a recovery organization near you, you can visit the Indiana Recovery Network website.
You can call 211 for help 24/7 in Indiana.
You can call the Indiana Addiction Hotline at 1-800-622-HELP (4357).
To find where you can get Naloxone near you, click here.
To view more resources from NextLevel Recovery Indiana, click here to visit its website.
Learn More
Click here to learn more about substance use disorders.
Substance use disorder related data from the state.
