Federal agency awards Indiana $25M to fight opioid abuse
The Trump administration has awarded Indiana more than $25 million to fight the opioid epidemic, largely by expanding access to treatment and recovery services.
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Convicted drug dealer loses 7th Circuit appeal
A Marion County man convicted of six drug, firearm and money laundering charges has lost his appeal before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which found no constitutional violation in the length of the traffic stop that led to his arrest.
Indiana man pleads not guilty in sons’ river drownings
The father of two Indiana boys who drowned in a river has pleaded not guilty to two counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in death. Eric Patillo, 34, Thayer, appeared Wednesday in Lake Superior Court.
Indiana father charged with neglect in sons’ drownings
The father of two Indiana boys who drowned in a river has been charged with felony neglect in their deaths after allegedly telling police he had used heroin before taking his sons to the waterway. Eric J. Patillo, 34, was indicted Thursday on two counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in death.
Indiana had record number of drug overdose deaths in 2017
A preliminary federal report finds Indiana had a record number of drug overdose deaths last year, as more than 1,800 people succumbed to overdoses. Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and New Jersey saw some of the nation’s biggest spikes in drug overdose deaths last year.
Heroin overdose sufficient for possession conviction, COA rules
A man who argued public policy should disfavor criminally charging people who have overdosed on heroin lost Wednesday, as the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed his felony possession conviction.
Opioid summit focuses on treatment, best judicial practices
Almost 1,000 people including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement officers, community leaders and medical professionals on Wednesday attended the Statewide Opioid Summit: A Medication Assisted Treatment and Addictions Primer for Justice Professionals.
Health officer rejects needle exchange for Miami County
The number of hepatitis C cases doesn’t justify implementing a local needle exchange program despite cases doubling in just one year, a Miami County health official said. Health Officer Dr. Rafik Farag declined to declare an epidemic caused by needle sharing despite pleas from other officials.
Best practices, prevention discussed at upcoming Supreme Court opioid summit
Teams from all 92 Indiana counties will convene in a little more than two weeks to discuss how to best equip the Indiana judiciary when facing cases concerning the state’s growing opioid crisis. The Indiana Supreme Court will host the Statewide Opioid Summit: A Medication Assisted Treatment and Addictions Primer for Justice Professionals from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on July 25 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.
COA: No error in admitting cell phone records, testimony
A man convicted of dealing narcotics and methamphetamine argued that evidence admitted from his cell phone and the opinion of a drug force detective were inadmissible, but the Indiana Court of Appeals rejected those claims Thursday.
Indiana excessive fines civil forfeiture case going to SCOTUS
Indiana’s civil forfeiture framework has received ample attention from the state legislative and judicial branches in recent years, but now, the nation’s highest court will weigh in on a case that could have implications in Indiana and nationwide.
SCOTUS agrees to hear Indiana civil forfeiture challenge
A lawsuit challenging Indiana’s civil forfeiture procedures will be heard by the United States Supreme Court after the justices granted a writ of certiorari to a case that a national legal organization says will have significant implications on Eighth Amendment protections nationwide.
LSC opioid task force coming to Indianapolis
The Legal Services Corporation’s Opioid Task Force, which is examining the role of civil legal aid in addressing the opioid epidemic, is scheduled to convene in Indianapolis in October for the first of three field hearings.
Kokomo woman charged after 2 kids positive for meth, THC
A Kokomo woman faces neglect charges after two children in her care tested positive for methamphetamine and her infant son was found to be severely malnourished.
Indiana getting 8 additional federal prosecutors
Eight prosecutors will be added to U.S. attorney’s offices in the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, those offices announced Tuesday. The new positions are part of the largest nationwide boost of federal law enforcement attorneys in decades.
National court leaders gather in Indy to discuss opioid crisis
Court leaders from across the country met in Indianapolis on Tuesday to brainstorm how the judiciary can best respond to the nation’s opioid epidemic. Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush co-chairs the National Judicial Opioid Task Force.
Former Vigo County commissioner faces new drug charges
A former Vigo County commissioner was charged with drug possession and domestic violence last week, nearly 10 years after he was first convicted of a drug crime. David W. Decker has been charged with possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of paraphernalia, invasion of privacy and domestic battery.
COA upholds suspension of Gibson County doctor’s license
A Gibson County doctor who violated multiple federal regulations when he impermissibly prescribed prescription narcotics to his girlfriend and other patients has lost his appeal to reinstate his Indiana medical license. The Indiana Court of Appeals found evidence supported his suspension.
IU McKinney professor to testify before Senate on opioid crisis
An Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law professor is headed to Washington, D.C., to testify before the U.S. Senate about his work combatting the ongoing opioid crisis. Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly announced Tuesday that IU McKinney professor Nicolas P. Terry will testify before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging.
Marion County seeks needle exchange amid hepatitis C surge
A public health emergency has been declared in Marion County amid surging hepatitis C cases in Indianapolis that officials hope to combat with a needle-exchange. The county’s health department director declared the health emergency Thursday amid a 1,000 percent increase in hepatitis C between 2013 and 2017.