Noon Edition airs on Fridays at noon on WFIU.

Earlier this month, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced the state plans to expand access of naloxone, a life-saving drug that reverses the effects of opioid overdose.

The state will make units that contain the agent, called NaloxBoxes, available to businesses and community entities committed to helping Hoosiers at risk of opioid overdose. 

The units are meant to be installed in visible, accessible areas. 

The decision comes after Indiana hospitals saw a spike in the number of people treated for drug overdose in 2020. 

State representatives said there’s been a 79 percent increase in overdose events in emergency departments and a 63 percent increase in EMS naloxone administrations. 

The uptick in overdoses has been nationwide, according to the CDC. More than 81,000 drug overdose-related deaths occurred in a 12-month period ending in May 2020. It is the highest number of overdose deaths recorded in a 12-month period.  

Though the increase started before the pandemic, the CDC says their data suggests overdose deaths accelerated the most during the pandemic.

This week, we’re talking about substance abuse disorder during the pandemic and what the state is doing to combat drug overdose deaths.

You can follow us on Twitter @NoonEdition or join us on the air by calling in at 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send us questions for the show at news@indianapublicmedia.org.

Note-This week of our guests and hosts will participate remotely to avoid risk of spreading infection. 

Guests 

Doug Huntsinger, Indiana's executive director for drug prevention, treatment, and enforcement 

Natasha Cheatham, Minority Recovery Collective Inc. founder

Dr. Camila Arnaudo, IU Health Bloomington, medical director of Addiction Treatment and Recovery Center

Chris Abert, Indiana Recovery Alliance executive director