The opioid epidemic leaves its mark in many ways throughout the communities of Indiana. While there is hope for recovery among those who find themselves arrested or enrolled in support programs, many are denied the luxury of time. Fatal overdoses are increasingly common, especially in the last several years. According to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, drug overdose deaths in rural areas exceeded that of cities from 2018 to 2020.
One factor in this phenomenon is the length of time it can take for help to arrive. Worse still, someone suffering from an overdose alone may not be discovered until it is too late for effective intervention.
Jennifer Kirkwood, founder of Spencer County Harm Reduction, aims to change that. For the last few months she has been stocking a free Narcan and fentanyl test strips at a box outside NOW Counseling in Rockport. These potentially lifesaving supplies are provided through Evansville Recovery Alliance with state support. The free and anonymous distribution allows those struggling with addiction, or those trying to help friends and family who are, to be prepared for the worst and buy time for recovery.
Kirkwood, currently alone in the Spencer County effort, said she had seen too many people in her life lost to overdoses to leave things as they are. The death of one particularly young acquaintance was quite impactful, as it showed that even someone who makes one mistake can lose all hope of recovery before addiction even starts. With Narcan now available to counteract the effects, these deaths are not inevitable.
“I got tired of seeing people die,” said Kirkwood. “The ideal outcome is recovery, but we want to keep them alive long enough to make that decision for themselves.”
After completing training with Evansville Recovery Alliance, Kirkwood officially launched Spencer County Harm Reduction. For now, the NOW Counseling box is the only distribution site, but another is currently in the works.
The current box has already required a resupply once over the last few months. Kirkwood herself was aware of at least three instances where the Narcan from that site was used to successfully save a life. However, one of those would later die in a separate incident after overdosing with no one around to help.
She noted that many do not like the idea of life less lethal for addicts or first-time users. Some argue that Narcan relieves urgency to seek help, or that fentanyl testing to ensure a drug is not laced with a deadly dose encourages continued use. Not every story has a happy ending, but Kirkwood said it was important to give county residents every chance to save themselves.
“It’s a controversial subject,” said Kirkwood. “But it’s worth it to me.”
Spencer County Harm Reduction is still relatively new to the community. Kirkwood has a full time job and other obligations besides, so more volunteers and partners would be welcome. Visit the organization’s Facebook page for more information.
Kirkwood emphasized that drug overdoses, and addiction, are not an issue that can be segregated away from the law abiding and sober. Eventually, the issue hits home.
“It affects everybody’s life,” she said. “At some point, you’re going to know someone who lost someone, or you’re going to lose someone.”
Story and photos by Don Steen
