“Drug abuse problems are not unique to Indiana ... we must work together as a state to identify gaps that hinder us from preventing drug abuse, treating drug abuse and effectively enforcing drug laws,” Pence said in a statement.
The rate of overdose deaths in the state increased by 500 percent between 1999 and 2009, making Indiana 16th in the nation in overdose rate, according to information from the governor’s office.
Heroin-related deaths spiked in the last decade, according to the state’s department of health. There were 700 heroin-related deaths in 2012 compared to 200 deaths a decade prior.
Indiana also had the most meth lab seizures of any state in the U.S. last year with 1,471, according to data collected annually by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Pence said he promised the task force will include members of all branches of government, authorities in medicine and experts in the field of drug treatment and intervention.
“I welcome the input of all of those who will be involved in this critical undertaking,” Pence said in the statement. “Together is the best way to reduce, prevent and treat drug addiction in Indiana.”
Mary Katherine Wildeman
