Pence Announces New Programs From Drug Abuse Task Force

INDIANAPOLIS -- Gov. Mike Pence Tuesday announced the most aggressive steps yet coming out of his Drug Task Force to help address Indiana’s substance abuse crisis.

The Drug Abuse Task Force issued recommendations at each of its first three meetings, the most recent of which took place late last month. Pence acted on those recommendations after each meeting – though until now, many of those actions were limited to further study or increasing awareness of existing efforts.  But Tuesday, he announced the creation of a new state initiative dubbed the Gold Card program. 

Indianapolis Republican Sen. Jim Merritt, a Drug Task Force member, says the program allows certain physicians to prescribe medication without prior authorization from programs such as Medicaid.

“It just takes a hurdle out of the way but still we have the government framework to make sure they’re doing the right thing," Merrit said.

The Governor also directed the Department of Correction to adopt a pilot program in northwest Indiana to provide local officials with more drug treatment options.