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Anti-overdose drug becoming easier to find

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is expanding their Narcan program starting Tuesday. Patrol officers working on the streets will now have one life-saving kit in their patrol car.

Indianapolis emergency responders also have access to Narcan and the public will, too. On Friday, Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed SEA 406. This will allow Narcan to be distributed on a much larger scale. Indiana lawmakers want community members to join the list of people who have the drug, also known as Naloxone, handy.

The kit cost around $31 and can only be used one time. It takes thirty seconds to start working. The drug comes in a box that has a needleless syringe with a foam tip. The user is supposed to shoot half of the liquid in one nostril and the rest into the other nostril.

“There can be side effects if someone takes this. We recommend that they see a doctor, call 911 or go to a hospital right after. I am happy that this will be available to the public because it will save lives,” said Carl A. Rochelle with Indianapolis EMS Department

“I am in favor of Narcan being more accessible because overdoses happening in Indianapolis are becoming more prevalent here and all across the country. Any tool to help reduce deaths is a good thing. I do think the next step after the person goes to a hospital is to seek treatment and counseling,” said Tobyn Linton with Fairbanks Hospital.

The author of the bill said that in 2014, Narcan helped reverse 1,000 heroin overdose cases in Indiana alone. If you would like to read more details about SEA 406 signed by Indiana Governor Mike Pence, click here.