The opioid crisis continues to ravage communities across the United States, and Indianapolis's Black community is no exception. Seeking to address the rising overdose deaths among Black residents in Indianapolis, the SOUL (Saving Our Unique Lives) team conducted 50 interviews with local residents. A recurring theme emerged from these interviews: a deep-seated mistrust of law enforcement and the healthcare system.
According to the Indianapolis Recorder news sites, Charlotte Crabtree, Overdose Lifeline’s (ODL) Diversity and Outreach Program Manager, who has personal experience with addiction and recovery, conducted the interviews. “Several of the people responded … ‘If we call 911, we’re calling a gun for assistance,’” Crabtree recounted.
Analyzing the data was Naomi Satterfield, a Mental Health First Aid instructor and Indiana University doctoral student. Satterfield explained the reluctance of Black residents to call 911 or carry naloxone, a life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug, as deeply rooted in structural racism. “If we look at using naloxone, there’s a long history of the medical institution in the United States taking advantage of Black communities,” she said, referencing the infamous Tuskegee syphilis experiment.
Interviewees shared instances where health officials entered Black neighborhoods under the guise of offering help, only to extract stories and data without providing real solutions. This history of exploitation and neglect has fostered a climate of fear and mistrust.
“So (they) have that fear of being caught with naloxone and assumed that there’s more,” Satterfield noted. “Also, the fear of an escalation leading to brutality or death.”
While 52% of interviewees reported positive or helpful interactions with first responders, predominantly EMS, a staggering 90% expressed negative perceptions of police officers. Overall, 69% described their experiences with first responders, including police, as negative or unhelpful.
“There are very important projects that Indianapolis police are doing to try and repair these relationships and build trust in the community,” Satterfield acknowledged. “But this history is centuries long, policing started from slave patrols.”
The need to rebuild trust between the Black community, law enforcement, and first responders is critical. This was a key takeaway from the first “Community in Crisis” event hosted by ODL at Martin University. During this event, a panel of SOUL coalition members spoke directly to community members about their experiences and concerns.
Kendale Adams, Deputy Chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s (IMPD) Criminal Investigations Division, assured attendees that police officers’ primary objective during an overdose situation is to save lives, not to arrest those seeking help. “I can guarantee you our first response, our first obligation, is to preserve life,” Adams stated. “Naloxone is not against the law; anybody can have it.”
Alongside efforts to rebuild trust, policy changes are seen as vital to addressing the opioid crisis effectively. Legislative measures could play a crucial role in reducing overdose rates among Black residents.
State Rep. Robin Shackleford highlighted the importance of passing legislation to make fentanyl test strips legal. These strips allow users to detect the presence of fentanyl, a potent and often deadly opioid, in drugs. Despite passing the Indiana House committee, this legislation stalled in the Senate.
Shackleford emphasized the importance of public involvement in advocating for policy changes. “It could be as simple as ‘please support the fentanyl strip legislation,’” Shackleford said. Advocacy through social media, emails, calls, and testimonies at committee meetings can significantly impact legislative outcomes.
Aaron’s Law, named after Aaron Sims, who died from an overdose at 20, is another critical piece of legislation. This law allows laypeople to carry naloxone without a prescription, and recent amendments have made the treatment more accessible in pharmacies. The Good Samaritan law, providing legal protection to those assisting in overdose situations, is also crucial in combating the crisis.
Charlotte Crabtree and the SOUL coalition continue their efforts to raise awareness and distribute naloxone. Over 263,000 doses have been distributed across Indiana, contributing to a decline in overdoses in targeted areas.
Upcoming events, including overdose reversal kit-making sessions and block parties, aim to further engage the community. More information on these events can be found at overdoselifeline.org/events.
The second “Community in Crisis” meeting is scheduled for August 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Martin University. As Crabtree emphasized, “We’re trying to reach out and make sure more people are aware … and that our voices be heard.”
Through continued community engagement, advocacy, and legislative efforts, Indianapolis’s Black community can combat the opioid crisis and work towards a healthier, safer future.
If you or your loved one are struggling with a drug addiction, reach out to Avenues Recovery today! Our team of experienced addiction specialists will help you turn your life around.