INDIANAPOLIS -- The state’s new Director of Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment Jim McClelland unveiled Governor Eric Holcomb’s plan for attacking the state’s drug epidemic at a meeting of the Commission to Combat Drug Abuse on Thursday.
The plan includes developing a network to distribute the overdose-reversing drug, Narcan, to local communities.
“This framework and action plan reflect months of partnership with diverse stakeholders and research on Indiana’s drug crisis,” McClelland said. “While much work remains, this plan is a critical first step in meeting Gov. Holcomb’s charge to attack our drug epidemic and its devastating effects on Hoosier lives.”
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Samantha Siegle, who has been sober for the past four years, said her addiction began her sophomore year of high school.
"It started with prescription opioids and progressed very quickly and furiously in my life," said Siegle.
At age 21, she was sentenced to 13 years in prison on felony drug possession charges.
"I had every intention of leaving and using again without a second thought because I didn't think I had another option. I didn't know what else to do," she said.
Siegle participated in a four-day seminar for inmates, which she credits with getting her life back on track.
"Had I not been afforded these opportunities, had I not been so fortunate, I would have died a statistic a long time ago," she said.
The state also received a $10.9 million grant that will help pay for 60 to 75 new recovery facility beds in addition to the $5 million set aside by the legislature earlier this year for the overall effort.
Key Principles:
- Data Driven: Data will inform all systems and programs created for government, individuals, families and providers—evolving as learning increases and as Indiana’s drug crisis changes.
- Comprehensive and Holistic: Indiana’s approach will be multi-faceted and focused on substance abuse prevention, early intervention, treatment, recovery, and enforcement.
- Collaborative: The state will align and focus the efforts of multiple state agencies that currently provide substance abuse services and resources. Further, Indiana’s approach makes clear that local communities, state officials, and the federal government must all have a stake in helping to overcome the drug crisis.
Major Strategies:
- Reduce the incidence of substance abuse disorder.
- Reduce additional harm that can result from substance abuse.
- Improve treatment of people with substance abuse disorder.
- Develop and support the ability of the executive director for drug prevention, treatment, and enforcement to serve stakeholders—including those with substance abuse disorders, their families, service providers, and units of government.
- Support and enhance substantial community-based collaborations aimed at prevention, treatment, and recovery.
You can read the governor's "Preliminary Action Plan" below:
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