Indiana 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.

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‘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.

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Pulaski 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.

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Life-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.

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Marshall 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.

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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.

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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.

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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