Indiana adding opioid treatment programs at five sites

As Indiana’s opioid epidemic continues to escalate, the state is adding treatment programs at five sites where Hoosiers can receive medical help managing their addictions.

The new sites are located at health centers in Johnson, Allen, Vigo, Monroe and Tippecanoe counties, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration announced Wednesday morning. The expansion brings the total number of locations where opioid treatment programs are offered to 19.

Johnson County's treatment program will be available at Valle Vista Health System in Greenwood.

Indiana’s Medicaid program will cover the cost of all services for services provided in the opioid treatment program for most Medicaid members, including all people enrolled in the Healthy Indiana Plan, effective Aug. 1, state officials said.

The treatment program uses federally approved medications to help people manage their addictions. The sites were strategically placed in or near counties with high numbers of naloxone use—the overdose reversal drug used by emergency responders, state officials said.

“We recognize that substance abuse disorders are chronic disorders of the brain,” Dr. Jennifer Walthall, FSSA secretary said at a news conference in Greenwood. “We believe that it is essential to work to reduce the shame and stigma associated with substance use disorders.”

The state did not say how much it will cost to expand the program.

Health officials blame opioid addictions for contributing to the tripling of Indiana's heroin overdose deaths since 2010, according to The Associated Press.

A list of the existing treatment centers is available here.