The overdose antidote naloxone, also known as Narcan, saved more than 2,000 Indianapolis residents last year. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett credits Indianapolis' Narcan program, which provides training and kits to community members.
Hogsett kicked off a naloxone training class Thursday in Marion County for homeless outreach providers.
"If we are to see an Indianapolis where drug overdose rate is in constant decline, we must also get Narcan into the hands of ‘lay responders,'" Hogsett says.
Hogsett says he wants to continue making naloxone more available by expanding the city's efforts and offering training to local community providers.
"While Narcan in the hands of our first responders has saved thousands of lives, for some, by the time our first responders arrive, it's too late," he says.
Health experts agree.
"It's maybe one of the most important tools to be able to reach that individual who's abusing these drugs, and we may not be aware of who they until they come into the emergency room dead," says Dr. Virginia Caine, Director of the Marion County Health Department.
Caine says the health department received 600 naloxone kits last year, but she expects that number to increase each year.