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Indiana Attorney General announces $400,000 naloxone grant

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Another effort is underway in Indiana to combat the growing heroin and opioid overdose epidemic. On Wednesday, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller, announced a $400,000 grant will be distributed across the state to help equip first responders with naloxone.

Naloxone is a fast acting heroin and opioid antidote that has been used to save hundreds of lives in Indiana.

This grant will be administered by the non-profit organization called Overdose Lifeline. That group works to distribute naloxone to first responders and train them on how to use the nasal spray on patients that have overdosed.

Last January a similar grant was awarded to the organization along with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and Indiana State Police.

That grant covered the cost of 7,500 naloxone kits.

“We can’t just stand by and watch as people die when we have the opportunity through this antidote to save lives and get people an opportunity for recovery,” said Attorney General Greg Zoeller.

Zoeller said he fears this epidemic is going to get worse before it gets better. He said heroin users are more vulnerable than ever to overdoses as a new form of heroin laced with fentanyl makes its way into the state. That form of the drug has an increased potency.

The grant program is not funded through tax-payer dollars. Money comes from settlements with pharmaceutical companies for off-label and deceptive marketing.