Health officials seek more efforts to curb drug overdoses

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) - Health officials in the Fort Wayne area are calling for additional efforts including education to help opioid users following a study of drug overdose deaths in Allen County.

The Journal Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/2eBmWFm ) figures presented to the Fort Wayne-Allen County Board of Health found that eight people ages 20 or younger died from drug overdoses between 2008 and 2015. Officials say all those deaths occurred in the presence of others.

Of the 418 total overdose deaths in Allen County during the years studied, 240 of the overdoses were in the presence of others.

Officials say overdose-reversing measures such as Narcan should be more easily available. They say Indiana's good Samaritan law, which protects those who call 911 to assist in emergency situations from liability or criminal prosecution, should be expanded.

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Information from: The Journal Gazette, http://www.journalgazette.net