The North Judson-San Pierre School Board members took time to review a NEOLA policy regarding Narcan as use as a medication during their most recent meeting.
Continue readingKnox City Police to Start Carrying Narcan amid Spike in Overdoses
Knox City Police officers will soon carry Narcan. Chief Harold Smith told the board of works Wednesday that they haven’t until now, since EMS is already in town and certain regulations would have to be followed, “But here lately, we’ve been having overdoses left and right, so we’re going to start carrying it, each officer.”
Continue readingIllinois Man Faces Multiple Charges following Hamlet Traffic Stop
An Illinois man was arrested after Hamlet Police say they found drugs during a traffic stop last week. It happened last Wednesday around 9:15 p.m. on Old U.S. 30, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Continue readingIndiana Providing another $1.3 Million to Expand Naloxone Distribution
Indiana is stepping up its naloxone distribution, amid a significant increase in overdose deaths. The Governor’s Office says Overdose Lifeline will distribute another 35,000 doses of the opioid overdose reversal medication and place another 215 “NaloxBox” units, thanks to another $1.3 million in state funding. A “NaloxBox” is a hard acrylic box containing six to eight doses of naloxone that organizations can mount outside of their buildings.
Continue reading‘NaloxBoxes’ to Bring 24/7 Access to Opioid Reversal Medication to Every Indiana County
Opioid overdose reversal medication will soon be available 24 hours a day in every Indiana county. Governor Holcomb announced Friday that the state is partnering with Overdose Lifeline to buy 215 “NaloxBox” units. It’s is a hard acrylic box containing six to eight doses of naloxone that can be mounted on the outside of a building. Each county will get at least one.
Continue readingIndiana Reports Record Naloxone Dispensation amid COVID-19 Pandemic
State officials continue gathering information on how COVID-19 is affecting Hoosiers’ mental health. Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Dr. Jennifer Sullivan shared some of the numbers behind the issue during state officials’ COVID-19 press conference Wednesday.
Continue readingPulaski Health Department Plans to Increase Narcan Training, Following Release of Grant Funds
The Pulaski County Health Department will be able to step up community Narcan training and distribution efforts, after a release of funding by the state. Office Manager Terri Hansen told the county commissioners last week that the Indiana State Department of Health recently opened the portal that holds health departments’ leftover grant money, making $94,000 available to Pulaski County.
Continue readingPulaski County Health Department to Add Employee, Update Equipment with Grant Funds
The Pulaski County Health Department will be getting a new part-time employee, after a release of funding by the state.
Continue readingNarcan Training to be Offered in Culver Tonight
In order to equip community members with the life-saving medication that can be utilized in the event of an opioid overdose, the Marshall County Health Department is hosting a Narcan training session this evening.
It will be held at the Culver-Union Township Public Library at 5:30 p.m.
Continue readingPulaski County Sheriff Recognizes Deputies for Lifesaving Response to Overdose
Pulaski County Sheriff Jeff Richwine is commending two of his deputies for their lifesaving actions over the weekend. He told the county commissioners Monday that Deputies Seth Barton and Branson Eber were the first on the scene of an overdose.
Continue readingNarcan Available at Starke County Health Department
Those interested in obtaining the overdose reversal drug Narcan continue to have resources available. Over the past year, the Marshall and Pulaski county health departments have offered training events for the public.
Continue readingWest Central School Officials Considering Acquisition of Narcan
The West Central School Board may opt to keep the opiate reversal drug Narcan on hand at the school corporation.
Continue readingNorth Judson Woman Arrested, Following Report of Possible Overdose
A report of a possible overdose led to the arrest of a North Judson woman Monday night. It happened around 8:30 p.m. at a home in the 7000 block of South County Road 100 West, according to the Starke County Sheriff’s Office.
Continue readingLife-Saving Training Delivered to Community Members Monday Night
Within the last 5 years or so, accidental drug overdoses have replaced car accidents as the leading cause of death among adults in the U.S.
That means people are more likely to encounter an overdose victim who needs first aid assistance rather than someone who’s had a stroke, heart attack or been injured in a motor vehicle crash.
A group of community members gathered at the Henry F. Schricker Public Library Monday night to learn skills that could help them save a life.
Continue readingSheriff: Pulaski County in Midst of One of Worst Drug Epidemics
Battling Pulaski County’s drug epidemic is not a cheap proposition, according to Sheriff Jeff Richwine. “You’re looking at, I think, one of the worst drug epidemics that we’ve seen,” he told the county council Monday. “And I lived through the ’60s and ’70s, and I don’t think it’s nothing to what you’re seeing now.”
Continue readingMarshall County Health Department to Offer Narcan Training This Week in Plymouth, Culver
A few chances to learn to use the potentially life-saving drug Narcan are being offered by the Marshall County Health Department this week. Training sessions will be held today at 11:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Community Resource Center in Plymouth. Health board member Tracy Fox told the Culver Town Council last week that a third training has been scheduled for this Thursday at 5:00 p.m. at the Culver Beach Lodge.
Oregon-Davis School Board Approves NARCAN Policy
The Oregon-Davis School Board members approved a policy that outlines the proper administration of NARCAN.
Starke County Commissioners Receive Update from EMS Staff
The Starke County EMS staff is learning how to use their new software.
EMS Director Travis Clary told the commissioners this week that they met with Health EMS officials on Friday to go over the new report writing software. The new software will allow the office to report required statistics to the state. The previous software was no longer compliant in this capacity.
More Narcan Kits Made Available to Local First Responders
First responders in Marshall, Starke, and Pulaski counties will be able to get more Narcan kits. The Indiana State Department of Health has awarded a total of $127,000 to 95 first responder agencies in 34 rural counties. That will cover the cost of nearly 3,400 Narcan kits, training for first responders, and expanding referrals to treatment and recovery options.
Recent Narcan Training is Already Paying off in North Judson
North Judson Police Chief Kelly Fisher reported that merely two days after completing Narcan training, one officer with the North Judson Police department has already used the life-saving skills that he acquired.
Fisher said that earlier this week, the department received some Narcan kits and the training required to use them from Starke County Public Health Nurse Frank Lynch. They completed the training on Tuesday. Around 6 p.m. Thursday night, Officer Rico Simpson was dispatched on a call about non-responsive overdose victim. He utilized Narcan, also known as Naloxone, and the individual was resuscitated. Continue reading