The opioid crisis is still hitting Indiana hard. We need to make a change.

The opioid epidemic has been devastating communities in Indiana for way too long, affecting our state more than the average across the country. It is time for us to call for change from our representatives to protect our communities.

As Indiana residents, the opioid crisis is affecting every one of us. It is a significant problem in our state, with many fellow residents dying from overdoses every year. This critical issue impacts our friends and families, meaning that it is time to act fast and improve our fellow residents' lives.

According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, there were 1,699 overdose deaths annually, which is 2.59% of all deaths in the state. This rate has risen 4.49% over the last three years, indicating that deaths from overdoses in the state of Indiana are still on the rise.

Overall, Indiana overdose deaths have been on the rise, and our state is above the nationwide average, showing it is time for a change. We need to call our representatives and push for more access to naloxone, a lifesaving medication that reverses opioid overdoses. We need to educate the public about the risk of opioid misuse and expand information to prescribers about implementing safe prescribing practices. We need to increase access to addiction treatment programs, which can include medication-assisted treatment, counseling and support groups.

We have let this crisis ravage our communities for too long. It is time for us to call our representatives and express our want — or need — for change in our state.

Tyler Barrett lives in Indianapolis.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana's opioid crisis isn't going away. We need to make a change.