Articles

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Court reverses doctor’s $1M defamation award against CVS

An Indianapolis doctor awarded $1.025 million in defamation damages against CVS after a federal jury trial lost it all Thursday when the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the decision. The panel ordered a new trial on greatly reduced claims for damages.

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Indiana cities, counties sue over opioid epidemic

Dozens of Indiana towns, cities and counties have sued drugmakers and distributors, joining more than 500 nationwide who claim pharmaceutical giants disregarded the risks of the addiction by placing profits above public health.

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