The Indiana State Department of Health received $519,117 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the expansion of overdose prevention outreach programs in at-risk counties on Wednesday.

The ISDH says the funding will be used to raise awareness of opioid prescribing habits, first responder training and education of Naloxone, the drug used to reverse the effects of opioid medications, and the enhancement of data records. 

Local counties receiving money for overdose combat efforts include LaPorte County and Pulaski County.

According to the ISDH, Starke County has already received funding for opioid prevention programs through a different grant. 

Other counties receiving funding include Clark County, Marion County, Grant County, and Jennings County. 

“I am pleased that ISDH has an opportunity to help our most vulnerable counties prevent overdoses that can take terrible tolls on families and communities. By helping at-risk counties assess their data in real time and educating them about Naloxone and the role prescribing plays in this epidemic, we can make real progress in the fight against opioid abuse.” says Dr. Jerome Adams, State Health Commissioner. 

The ISDH says the award will run through August 31, 2017.