The use of naloxone to treat overdoses has significantly increased throughout the state of Indiana and has almost doubled in Clark County in recent months amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Indiana is experiencing more substance use disorders and other mental health issues amid the coronavirus outbreak, the state's human services chief said Wednesday.

Overdose Lifeline Inc. will distribute 25,000 doses of naloxone, or Narcan, to first responders, families, friends and others who are likely to be the first on the scene if someone overdoses.

Indiana University's Addictions Crisis Grand Challenge hosted the event that also provided free nasal doses of the overdose reversing drug.

Indiana University's Addictions Crisis Grand Challenge initiative will oversee the training before distributing free naloxone kits to the first 1,000 who complete the training.

The online, interactive map, created in a partnership through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Indiana Management Performance Hub, illustrates locational patterns in overdoses.

Naloxone manufacturer Hospira issued a voluntary recall of its single-use cartridge syringe system for the opioid overdose antidote.

Earlier this month, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams issued an advisory. More Americans he said, should know how to use naloxone.

As Indiana's top health official for three years, Adams championed harm reduction methods in response to the opioid crisis.

The Indiana State Department of Health hands out $127,000 in naloxone kits to 34 rural counties.