SPEA study finds heroin-related deaths may be significantly undercounted

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Michael L. Jackson

A new study published in the Journal of Urban Health could have a significant impact on the way heroin overdose cases are counted and may dramatically increase the number of reported heroin-related deaths across the country.

Researchers at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI analyzed accidental opioid overdoses in Marion County, Indiana, from 2010 through 2015 and discovered that deaths where heroin was present may be significantly undercounted.

During the six-year study period, the IUPUI team examined the death certificates and toxicology reports for 1,199 accidental drug-overdose fatalities in Marion County and classified 455 as heroin-related. During the same time period, the Marion County Public Health Department recorded just 141 deaths caused by heroin.

“What happens a lot of times when people overdose is that they have multiple substances in their system,” said Brad Ray, an assistant professor at SPEA who studies substance abuse. “Because of the use of poly-drug codes to classify deaths when multiple drugs are present, we tend to undercount the prevalence of heroin in deaths because we usually count whether the death was a result of heroin rather than whether heroin was present.” (more…)

PPI study examines two-decade transformation of downtown Carmel

Posted on January 23, 2017 by Michael L. Jackson

CARMEL – A comprehensive analysis by the Indiana University Public Policy Institute shows how two decades of public investment into Carmel’s central core has impacted the city and its taxpayers.

The benefits by the numbers are detailed in the PPI report, showing more private investment, more jobs, less vacant land, more employed persons, and more taxable assessed value have been realized.

The success of the redevelopment of its central core has helped cement Carmel’s national reputation as one of the country’s best suburbs. However, the PPI report does acknowledge that the project was not without disagreement over the development process and concern regarding Tax Increment Financing as a funding source, among other issues. (more…)

New SPEA course connects students to careers and leaders in community development

Posted on January 19, 2017 by O'Neill at IUPUI

By Marshawn Wolley, Director of of Community Engagement and Strategic Initiatives

As part of SPEA’s long-standing commitment to community engagement and development, the school recently launched the Community Corps program. The innovative initiative aims to prepare the next generation of civic leaders while partnering with many of our community’s nonprofit, faith-based, and public organizations.

A newly-developed course – Indy Community Development Network – is the first of its kind on the IUPUI campus and will give students an introduction to many of the tools utilized in community development. The one-credit course (SPEA-V 450/35782) will be held from 9 a.m. to noon each Friday in February (Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24) and is open to students who have completed at least 60 hours of coursework. (more…)

Borst Fellow and MPA student Thomas Bray immersed in Indiana legislative process

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Jaclyn Lansbery

As a senior at Fishers High School, Thomas Bray learned first-hand how to argue on behalf of the U.S. Constitution in front of a panel of legislators. His learning process was part of We the People, a national program that challenges elementary and high school students to participate in simulated congressional hearings.

“The We the People program made me realize that I was really passionate about public service and public affairs,” said Bray. “Even though this was not something I wanted to do specifically, the build-up was something that I found I was pretty good at – the research, the writing, the crafting, the paper that was as good to read as it is to speak. That was something that I really found both challenging and enjoyable.” (more…)

Indiana faces up to $8.5 billion funding gap for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Michael L. Jackson

The 20-year statewide funding gap for Indiana wastewater and drinking water infrastructure is estimated to be between $6.5 billion and $8.5 billion, according to a new study by the Indiana Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations.

Between 2005 and 2014, local governments invested approximately $4.5 billion in combined wastewater and drinking water infrastructure. If spending levels remain at the same level, state and local governments will face an annual shortfall between $326 million and $423 million to meet the infrastructure capital needs identified in the report.

“This represents a significant challenge for both local and state government,” said state Rep. Mike Karickhoff, R-Kokomo, who chairs the commission. “There has been a lot of focus on roads infrastructure funding in the state, but it’s incredibly important that we are aware of the needs for wastewater and drinking water and take appropriate steps to close this funding gap.” (more…)