The original Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) grant began in 2019 when the CDC awarded funding to 66 state, county, and city public health organizations. Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) was awarded the original round of OD2A funding, and MCPHD served as a subrecipient to help the IDOH meet their goals within the Marion County community. The original OD2A grant lasted for four years and ended in August 2023.
In September 2023 the Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD) was awarded five years of funding through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Overdose to Action: Limiting Overdose through Collaborative Actions in Localities (OD2A: LOCAL) grant. The OD2A: LOCAL funding allows MCPHD to collect high quality, comprehensive, and timely data on non-fatal and fatal overdoses and use the data to inform prevention and response efforts. MCPHD collaborates with a wide range of community partners to implement overdose prevention activities in multiple topic areas, including linkage to and retention in care, harm reduction, stigma reduction, clinician and health systems best practices, and overdose surveillance infrastructure. Additionally, MCPHD was one of 18 jurisdictions to receive funding to conduct drug and drug paraphernalia surveillance testing. Through our community partnerships, the MCPHD OD2A: LOCAL team aims to:
· Address the evolving epidemiology of the drug overdose crisis
· Close identified gaps in prevention activities and address health inequities
· Apply lessons learned from the previous OD2A funding opportunity
· Leverage the differing roles and spheres of influence that state and local health departments and their partners have
Why is our work important?
Marion County has been heavily impacted by the overdose epidemic. According to reports published by the Marion County Coroner’s Office (MCCO), accidental drug intoxication deaths have increased by 65% from 2019 to 2023. In 2023, the MCCO investigated 1,242 accidental deaths and 669 (54%) deaths were due to an accidental drug intoxication.
Furthermore, in 2023, 1,890 substances were detected in drug intoxication deaths across all manners. The most common substances were fentanyl, methamphetamine, acetyl fentanyl, cocaine, and ethanol (alcohol). Opioids were detected in 561 (80%) deaths with 543 (97%) of those deaths involving fentanyl.
The illicit drug market is always changing and evolving and the OD2A: LOCAL funding allows MCPHD and community partners to address emerging and new substances, identify overdose hotspots, and tailor harm reduction messaging and outreach to each specific community in Marion County.
Data Products and Reports
Overdose Data Products:
OD2A Reports:
Get help now… what do you need?
Recovery Assist Program a searchable online directory of providers and resources in Marion County and the Greater Indianapolis area related to overdose prevention, SUD, and other non-medical services.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention & crisis resources for you or your loved ones, & best practices for professionals in the US. Dial 988 or visit 988lifeline.org
Safe Syringe Access & Support (SSAS) – Offers the following services: HIV and hepatitis C rapid screening, safer drug use practices, referral for SUD and mental health treatment, wound care education, immunizations, referral to primary care, and access to health insurance coverage.
Free Syringe and Paraphernalia Testing – SSAS provides free and ANONYMOUS testing for syringes and paraphernalia including:
- Syringes
- Baggies
- Cotton/filters
- Pipes/pipe covers
- Straws
- Cookers
Substance Use Outreach Services (SUOS) – Offers the following services: HIV rapid testing, STD screenings, Hepatitis B & C screenings, HIV/STD educational materials and prevention counseling, group educational sessions, naloxone training and education, and substance use case management.
MCCO provides a variety of resources to help people who are grieving the loss of a loved one. If you recently lost a loved one to overdose, you can text “mental” to 317-435-5281 to get connected with mental health resources.
Provides direct support to individuals experiencing the challenges associated with losing a loved one from an overdose or drug-related cause of death through a network of Peer Grief Helpers.
A holistic sober living community in Indianapolis that offers evidence-based addiction treatment and subsidized housing to pregnant women and mothers ages 18 and older.
A monthly support group for anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one to drug overdose.
Indiana Naloxone Boxes & Distribution Centers
an interactive map showing NaloxBox locations and naloxone distribution centers around Indiana.
Need harm reduction materials? Fill out a request form to receive Naloxone & Fentanyl and Xylazine Test Strips.
Learn more about our OD2A partners
- Epidemiology
- Safe Syringe Access and Support (SSAS)
- Substance Use Outreach Services (SUOS)
- Stronger with Support (SwS)
Academic Detailing – project aims to provide one-on-one support to healthcare providers in Marion County on various topics relating to substance use disorder and prevention.
Beyond Substance podcast series – is a new initiative to deepen the understanding of substance use in Marion County and to highlight that there is hope and support for recovery in our community.
MCPHD Overdose Fatality Review – convenes monthly to review factors surrounding overdose deaths in Marion County. MCPHD Overdose Fatality Review | 2024 Annual Report.
Recovery Assist Platform a directory of services for persons with substance use disorder in Marion County and surrounding areas.
Naloxone Leave Behind – The Naloxone Leave Behind (NLB) enables EMS staff to leave naloxone on-site with patients that experience a suspected overdose.
Best Test Ever – Provides free fentanyl test strips mailed right to your door.
Strip the Shame – Overdose Lifeline’s new campaign to address stigma and harm reduction for Generation Z
Substance Use Assessment and Response (SSAR) – Develops effective and targeted anti-stigma training for emergency first responders and emergency department staff.
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