Drug summit aims to start conversation in Hamilton County

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) — Tuesday night in Carmel, a summit was held to discuss drug use in Hamilton County.

The summit was sponsored by the Hamilton County Leadership Academy.

The goal was to raise awareness that drug use is happening not just in urban areas, but in towns and communities all across central Indiana.

Senator Jim Merritt, who sponsored a bill that would allow people to use and administer Narcan without fear of penalty, was one of tonight’s featured speakers.

Narcan is the drug used to reverse the effects of an overdose on opiates, like heroin.

Organizers say this evening was designed to start a larger conversation.

“We are fortunate to live in a community that really does have, for the most part, safe streets,” said organizer Chris Jensen. “We have great schools, we have great infrastructure here in our community, but we’re not immune to issues like heroin. I think it’s time that we start having a dialogue about those issues and how we can work to combat them in our community.”

During Tuesday’s meeting, listeners also got information about several resources in Hamilton County for those struggling with addiction.