The Opioid Epidemic in Indiana and Marion County

In recent years, opioid abuse has been recognized as a national crisis, frequently making headlines and spurring legislative action at the state and federal level. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly two million Americans abused or were dependent on opioids in 2014, and more people died from overdoses that year than in any year on record. Indiana has also been hit hard by this epidemic. To address this challenge, the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation recently introduced opioid addiction, along with tobacco use, as a new focus area for its grantmaking. Emphasizing this issue, we believe, helps advance our commitment to improving the health of Hoosiers and carry out our conviction that good health is foundational to strong families and communities.

Infographic: Opioid Use in Indiana