Overdose antidote training set for 4 Indianapolis libraries

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indiana University-led partnership is bringing training sessions to Indianapolis this week on how to administer a medication that can reverse potentially fatal overdoses from opioid painkillers and heroin. 

Friday’s sessions will be held at four public libraries, some located in parts of Indianapolis hard-hit by drug overdoses. 

Indiana University’s Addictions Crisis Grand Challenge initiative will oversee the training before distributing free naloxone kits to the first 1,000 people who complete the training. 

The fast-acting nasal spray is often referred to by its brand name, Narcan. It can save the lives of people who have overdosed on prescription opioids or illegal drugs like heroin. 

The IU partnership includes IU Health, the nonprofit Overdose Lifeline Inc., the Indianapolis Public Library and Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration.