By State Representative Ron Beacon
According to the Indiana State Department of Health, the death rate due to drug abuse has consistently increased over the past several years. While there are programs providing treatment, there is a significant amount of work to further combat the opioid addiction crisis in our state. To assist Hoosiers in their fight to overcome addiction, I am supporting legislation to help those seeking treatment and offer additional funding for recovery centers.
A House proposal would help remove barriers for individuals in need of addiction treatment. An important step in the recovery process is getting help from professionals, and this policy would ensure people in need have better access to inpatient care. This legislation would allow those ready to receive professional help to be admitted to treatment facilities, regardless of their sobriety. This would better ensure they have an opportunity to overcome addiction. Currently, those seeking treatment for addiction must be sober or in withdrawal, which may prevent some from getting help.
Another proposal would establish the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Center Grant Program. These grants could help recovery centers across the state with community outreach, treatment and recovery efforts, and facility maintenance. In Indiana, the opioid epidemic is impacting rural areas, and this legislation would be especially beneficial for communities like ours.
Addiction is a very real, continuing problem impacting our families and friends. We must work to overcome this disease by providing support to those who need it. It is important that we take steps toward addressing this issue, and these are just two pieces of legislation offering solutions.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please call 2-1-1 or visit www.in211.org. Â As always, I encourage you to share your thoughts and feedback on this legislation as it moves through the process. Contact me with any input or questions at h75@iga.in.gov or 317-232-9643.
