Taking steps to battle the opioid epidemic

By: 
Steve Davission, State Representative District 73

Prescription opioids continue to be involved in more overdose deaths than any other drug. Gathering detailed and geographic-specific information related to these deaths will provide a more accurate estimate and a strong approach to the battle against opioids.        

The number of overdoses in Indiana has dramatically increased over the last 16 years. A bill I am sponsoring would help combat this epidemic in Indiana by requiring further investigation of overdose deaths.  

These deaths are underestimated due to the large proportion of unspecified drugs on death certificates, resulting in inaccurate information. This legislation would require coroners to report all suspected overdose deaths, run drug tests to specify the drug involved in the death, and check Indiana’s prescription monitoring program, or INSPECT, to see if the victim had a prescription.  

Not all coroner’s report deaths caused by overdoses.  Under this proposal, coroners would forward test results to the Indiana State Department of Health with their notice of death and information about the controlled substance that may have been involved. This will enable Indiana to target solutions at specific regions or drugs.  

You can follow the progress of these bills here: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2018/bills/senate/139

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