INDIANAPOLIS – The city of Indianapolis surpassed its 2015 record of Narcan uses as of Thursday at midnight.
The treatment, used by many first responders who come in contact with those who have overdosed on heroin, helped save the lives of 1,229 people this year. In 2015, Narcan was used on a total of 1,225 people.
The increased amount of heroin usage is linked to the record number of doses administered.
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In August, a string of heroin overdoses in Jennings County left one person dead. Police believe people are taking heroin that has been laced with fentanyl.
Jennings and Marion counties aren’t the only parts of the state with issues.
A heroin problem in Hamilton County has been “swept under the rug,” many say, as 15 people died from overdoses in October 2015. Opioid usage is also becoming a growing problem among Indiana’s Amish in Wayne County.
MAP | Overdose statistics in Indiana counties
PREVIOUS |Heroin use growing problem among Indiana's Amish | Hamilton Co.: Wealthy, educated and dying of heroin
Just a few weeks ago, a series of photos showing a 4-year-old in a vehicle with his overdosed, unresponsive parents went viral on social media. The photos were posted by Ohio police as a message about the national heroin epidemic.
RELATED | Boy in viral 'heroin' photos heading to new home
In another case in mid-September, occurring in Denver, Colo., one dog nearly died after eating heroin after a suspected drug dealer threw 17 bags of narcotics over the fence at a doggy daycare.
MORE | Suspected drug dealer throws 17 bags of heroin over fence at Denver doggy daycare | IMPD officer who saved 6 lives named first 'Narcan Lifesaver'
In 2015, an Indianapolis police officer saved six lives by administering the anti-overdose drug.
