FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Paige Gehlhausen, Press Secretary
Paige.Gehlhausen@iga.in.gov
317-232-9425
Zay applauds Indiana's progress in the fight against the opioid epidemic
STATEHOUSE (Jan. 5, 2024) — Indiana has made significant progress in the fight against opioid abuse and misuse, most recently reporting a 5% decline in opioid overdose deaths in 2022 and a 29% decrease in opioid prescriptions dispensed by pharmacies over the last six years, said State Sen. Andy Zay (R-Huntington).
Over the course of eight years, Zay has made many efforts to fight addiction and provide resources for those battling substance use disorders.
"Lawmakers have worked to combat addiction in a wide variety of ways," Zay said. "Some initiatives I and other Senate Republicans have supported include community–based prevention programs, the Pregnancy Promise Program and My Healthy Baby."
Another program Zay supported is the Community Catalyst Program, which in 2022 awarded Huntington County Community Corrections a $1.7 million grant to create two alternative on-campus sentencing programs for mental health and substance use treatment at the O'Donnell Center at Victory Noll.
"Hoosiers who suffer from substance use disorders and addiction deserve proper resources as they work through their treatment and recovery process," Zay said. "During my time in the Senate, I have and will continue to fight for legislation that supports Hoosiers in crisis. I look forward to continued conversation on this issue as we head into the 2024 legislative session."
Indiana has made much progress in the fight against the opioid crisis but there is still work to be done, which is why we offer the 24-hour 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and Indiana 211 to all Hoosiers.
Constituents with questions, comments or concerns about this issue or any others can contact Zay by email at Senator.Zay@iga.in.gov or by phone at 317-234-9441.
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State Sen. Andy Zay (R-Huntington) represents Senate District 17,
which includes Grant, Huntington and Wabash counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
