Naloxone, a medicine used to prevent deaths from opioid overdoses, was patented in 1961 and approved for use in the United States ten years later.  Naloxone, also known by the brand name of Narcan, has saved countless lives over the years.  Its benefits are recognized to the point, today, that naloxone nasal spray dispensers are being freely distributed in wall boxes – like so many fire extinguishers or AED units in public buildings and other locations.

In the state of Indiana for a period covering most of 2021, data shows fatal overdoses increased by 21 percent.

As IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reported recently, Muncie is seeing more so-called “Naloxboxes” throughout the community.

Another effort to save lives via naloxone and to help those with underlying mental health issues is done by the organization Muncie Folk Collective – a local nonprofit organization that performs harm-reduction work helping those with substance abuse problems.  They also work in conjunction with Indiana Department of Mental Health doing street outreach.

Read More: New survey aims to track addiction recovery resources in Indiana

Sarah Renee and Neil Kring of Muncie Folk told about their work with those in need on the streets of Muncie during Morning Edition: