U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly today lauded the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for its new practice of publicly posting information on the number of opioid prescriptions from VA pharmacies. The VA is the first hospital system in the nation to publicly release this data, which does not include veterans’ personal information. In November 2017, bipartisan legislation proposed by Donnelly and Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) was signed into law by President Trump, allowing the VA to share data with state Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs – including the INSPECT program, Indiana’s monitoring program.

Donnelly said, “It will take all of us working together, on every front, to combat this devastating opioid epidemic. Expanded information and data sharing by the VA will help in this fight, and I applaud their action. This builds on my bipartisan legislation, which was recently signed into law, to ensure that the VA can work with prescription drug monitoring programs, like Indiana’s INSPECT program, to reduce opioid abuse.”

Over the past few years Donnelly has worked effectively to advance legislation to combat this public health crisis. He has introduced seven bills and amendments with seven different Republican partners and several of these provisions are now law. Last year, several of Donnelly’s provisions were signed into law, and he successfully advocated and continues to advocate for funding that would expand prevention and treatment programs. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) and the 21^st Century Cures Act, both of which Donnelly helped pass into law, have programs and funding to combat the opioid abuse and heroin use epidemics. Through the Cures Act, Donnelly helped Indiana secure nearly $11 million in federal grant funding this year that will support prevention, treatment, and recovery services across the state. Donnelly has spoken in the Senate several times in recent months calling for more resources to combat the opioid epidemic.

By Indiana Rep. Steve Davisson

This session I plan to help tackle some of the most pressing issues facing our state, including the drug epidemic. Currently, around 100 Hoosiers die every month from a drug overdose. That’s why the drug addiction problem will be at the forefront of my legislative priorities.

In recent years, House Republicans championed various reforms to expand treatment options and services for Hoosiers. As a result of a new law I championed, mobile addiction teams now serve more rural areas of Indiana affected by drug addiction. However, there is still so much more to do as Indiana continues this fight. Many families struggling with this issue often cannot find appropriate treatment in their area because there simply aren’t enough providers. A bill I am authoring this year would establish Medicaid and Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP 2.0) reimbursement for addiction treatment.

Unfortunately, this epidemic has also effected the workplace. With over 130,800 jobs that need to be filled by 2024, many perspective employees aren’t able to pass their initial drug screening.

I am authoring legislation that would give options to employers and jobseekers facing this dilemma. It would establish a drug addiction workforce recovery program that employers could give as a conditional option of employment to applicants suffering from addiction. For example, a company could hire such an employee with the understanding they must also undergo drug treatment, counseling and testing.

Funding for the program would come from grants and HIP, along with a small portion being withheld from the employee’s paycheck. This would allow these employees to invest in their own recovery. Our hope is that we can simultaneously address our communities’ workforce shortages while putting those struggling with addiction on the path to sobriety and steady employment.

I will continue to combat Indiana’s drug epidemic and push for legislation that helps solve problems that Hoosiers are facing every day. Throughout session, it is important that we stay connected. I will continue to provide updates about legislation as it moves through session.

You can also track bills and watch live committee meetings by visiting iga.in.gov.

I encourage you to contact me with any questions or input at (317) 232-9769 or at h73@iga.in.gov.

Five were arrested this morning in a drug raid in Austin, Indiana.

At approximately 10:48 am, troopers from the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg along with Officers from the Austin City Police Department served a search warrant at 218 South Lawnview Drive in Austin.

The search warrant was obtained by troopers through the Scott County Court after conducting a drug investigation at the residence.

During the search officers located alleged Methamphetamine, syringes, scales and other pieces of paraphernalia.

Below are the arrested, their charges.

1-Erica Moore, 24, from Scottsburg; Dealing in Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of Syringe and Maintaining a Common Nuisance. 

2-Timothy Ebertshauser, 26, from Scottsburg; Dealing in Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of Syringe and Maintaining a Common Nuisance. 

3-Terry Morris, 46, from 218 S. Lawnview, Austin; Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of Syringe. 

4-Eric Howard, 29, from Scottsburg; Visiting a Common Nuisance. 

5-Victoria Autenrieb, 28, from Seymour; Visiting a Common Nuisance. 

All the arrested were incarcerated at the Scott County Jail awaiting their first court appearance.

This investigation is continuing.

Today at approximately 10:00 Troopers from the Jasper Post responded to I-69 near the 56 mile marker to the report of a crash with injuries.

Preliminary investigation reveals that a white 2009 Toyota Matrix driven by, Kaylee Jo Lashbrook, 31, Washington was traveling south on I-69 when according to the Lashbrook a dog appeared in the roadway. 

When she swerved to avoid the dog, the Toyota traveled off the roadway, across the northbound lanes, and up an embankment. 

The vehicle came to rest approximately 50’ off the road. The Toyota had extensive front end damage from traveling through the median and over large rocks along the side of the road.

Lashbrook was transported by South West Medical to Daviess Community Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

“Drivers need to remember that when an animal appears in the roadway it is safer to hit the animal than to swerve to avoid it.  More injuries occur when people try to avoid the collision, especially at interstate speeds, than hitting the animal itself,” stated Senior Trooper Jarrod Lents. 

Troopers were assisted on scene by: The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, Southwest Medical, and Tri-State Towing

Investigating Officer: Senior Trooper Jarrod Lents

Filing for the 2018 Primary Election got underway on Wednesday, with Republican Randall Bills the first candidate to file at the Clerk’s office. 

Bills filed to seek a 2nd term as Washington County Auditor. 

Roy Overshiner, who ran four years ago in the 2014 election, lost in the fall race for Sheriff to Roger Newlon. Overshiner is a former City of Salem police officer. 

Brent Miller filed to seek the Democrat nod to run for Sheriff in the fall election. Miller is currently the Chief Deputy Sheriff of Washington County. 

Other filings include:

Tim Rodman, Republican, Recorder

Todd Ewen, Republican, Commissioner District 2. 

Preston Shell, the incumbent, filed to seek a 2nd term.

John Revels, Republican, filed to seek a 2nd term as Washington County Councilmen, District 2. 

Jason W. Nelson, Republican, filed to seek the party nomination for Washington County Councilman District 4. 

David Brown, Republican, filed to run for Brown Township Trustee. 

Steven L. Anderson, Republican, filed to run for Franklin Township Trustee. 

Matthew Incantalupo, Republican, filed to run for Jackson Township Trustee. 

Angie Wilson, Republican, filed to run for Monroe Township Trustee. 

Dennis R. Fleming, Sr., Republican, filed to run for Pierce Township Trustee.