Drug Test - Muncie, IN

Muncie, Indiana - Drug Testing

Substance Abuse Trends and Statistics for Delaware County

In February 2023, Dr. Dane Minnick, Director of the Muncie-based Ball State Center for Substance Use Research and Community Initiatives discussed some eye-opening statistics related to addiction in Delaware County. Currently, the county ranks fifth in the state for opioid-related overdose fatalities and fourth in the state for total drug overdose deaths. It also ranks 8th among all counties in the state for non-fatal overdose emergency room visits.

Local Government Efforts to Address Drug Problems in Muncie

In early 2023, a long-time collaboration between the City of Muncie, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, and many volunteers came to fruition with the announcement of the soon-to-be-open Muncie Crisis Center. The center will provide an alternative to jail for individuals experiencing an immediate crisis and will connect participants with behavioral health trained clinicians who can guide them to needed resources.

The city of Muncie has also been the recipient of one of the state's 19 Narcan vending machines that are available to the public. These machines are heralded as a practical tool that can prevent opioid overdoses and save lives.

Notable Events Related to Drug Use in Muncie, IN

In January 2022, a 34-year-old Muncie woman was convicted of selling drugs to a woman who later overdosed and died. The woman, who was eight months pregnant, was found unresponsive in a living room. The fetus died at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Police later learned that the dealer had sold her a lethal dose of fentanyl instead of heroin.

The dealer was arrested and later sentenced to 40 years in prison, with prosecutors requesting the maximum sentence and calling her a "cold-blooded" drug dealer who showed no concern for others. It's notable that this was the first time in Delaware County history that a drug dealer was held personally responsible for a death that was caused by drugs they had sold. The prosecutor used the opportunity to warn other drug dealers that if their customers die of an overdose, he will hold them accountable.