Columbus mayor introduces heroin overdose response initiative

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The Columbus Police Department and the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office may be teaming up to combat the supply of drugs, specifically heroin, in Bartholomew County. 

Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop announced at his State of the City Address Tuesday night his plan to further unite the Columbus Police Department and the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office.

The agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) earlier this week. It will coordinate a Heroin Overdose Response initiative within Bartholomew County.

“This Heroin Overdose Response Initiative is another proactive step to aggressively investigate situations that are likely to help law enforcement identify, target, arrest and assist in the prosecution of individuals and organizations responsible for distributing heroin and other controlled substances in Bartholomew County,” Mayor Lienhoop said.

The purpose of the agreement is to establish consistency among heroin overdose investigation protocols and facilitating intelligence gathering and sharing between the agencies.