Indianapolis, IN
Stronger than my addiction: $15-million facility in Indianapolis helped woman rebuild her life
INDIANAPOLIS — Marquitta Hearne looked in the mirror and was disturbed by the face she saw staring back at her.
“I was in a hotel room and I didn’t recognize the person,” Hearne said. “It was so gloomy and dark. I was in a dark place.”
Hearne was exhuasted. She said she’d been chasing a cocaine high for years, using more and more of the drug as her addiction deepened. If she couldn’t stop, Hearne was certain she’d end up behind bars, or in a morgue.
Vic Ryckaert/WRTV
“I was doing so much, so much,” Hearne said. “And like, one wrong turn could have just ended my life or ended (with) me in jail.”
Hearne took the first steps to recovery that night, walking more than three miles from where she was staying to the Assessment Intervention Center, 2979 E. Pleasant Run Parkway North Dr.
This resource center offers help for folks like Hearne, who are battling homelessness, addiction and mental health problems.
Vic Ryckaert/WRTV
“They got me the resources that I needed,” Hearne said. “And I went to a sober living place and I stayed there almost a year. Then, I reconciled with my family, who is helping me get myself together now.”
The $15 million AIC opened in December 2020 on the Community Justice Campus as a “first-of-its kind” facility that links people in crisis with the services that can help.
Mayor Joe Hogsett touted the center as a cornerstone of his plan to fight crime by offering alternatives to jail.
“The opening of the AIC represents several years of work reflecting a transformation in thinking about our criminal justice system,” Hogsett said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 1, 2020.
“Our goal is to address rising mental health and addiction needs, and break the cycle of low-level, non-violent offenders trapped in the system largely due to complex social, economic, and health challenges.”
A 2010 study by Indiana University found that about 1.2 million Hoosiers suffer from mental health disorders, including more than 165,000 in Marion County.
A 2015 report by the the Indianapolis Criminal Justice Reform Task Force found that about one out of three Marion County inmates suffer from a mental health disorder.
Studies show that treating a person’s mental health and addiction is cheaper and more effective than incarceration.
Vic Ryckaert/WRTV
Clients entering the AIC are often high when they come through the door. Many are homeless, broke and separated from family and friends.
At the AIC, they get a general health checkup, shower, clean clothes, food and a place to sober up.
“What we are is a linkage hub,” said James Richter, Director of Clinical Services at the Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center.
The center is not a jail, hospital or a clinic, Richter said. There are nurses here, but no doctors or therapists.
Vic Ryckaert/WRTV
“Even though we’ve been open for three years, I think there are there still either misconceptions as to what the AIC is, what we do there,” Richter said. “Someone can come to and try to figure out what the next step is, then we work with all our partners to get them to the next step. But we don’t actually provide that treatment itself.”
When the high has worn off, clients meet with staff and peer coaches to figure out what help they need. In a day or two, they move to another treatment program.
There are 60 beds in the AIC, where people stay until room opens up in another program.
“We can help you with withdrawal protocols, to safely withdrawal from alcohol or opioids,” Richter said. “Our resource coordinators and peer recovery coaches on site would work with you trying to connect you either to the outpatient provider or substance use provider that would be the person most appropriate for your need.”
The AIC reports that it made 3,091 referrals to other programs last year, which is up 27% from 2021 and up 20% over 2022.
About a third of the people who end up at the AIC walk in on their own, Richter said. Others come from the the courts, police and hospital emergency rooms.
Superior Court Judge Amy Jones presides over Marion County’s mental health court. She said the AIC is a good start, but it could be helping more people.
Vic Ryckaert/WRTV
“It’s a good tool for individuals in our community that have never had an opportunity to be connected with services,” Jones said. “I think there’s a lot more that we can do for the individuals (who) are not so sick that they have to be hospitalized, but are too sick to follow through on their own.”
Jones said she would like to see the AIC start accepting those who need a stronger push to get them to stop using.
“I really would be hopeful that their services could expand to those people that are limited engagement, not just to people who’ve never been connected,” Jones said.
Vic Ryckaert/WRTV
As for Hearne, she said that three-mile walk to the AIC was the best decision she’s made.
“I was scared when I went in,” Hearne said. “They calmed me down. They got they got me everything that I needed.”
Hearne spent 24 hours at the AIC before moving to a residential treatment program in Indianapolis.
Eighteen months later, she said she’s sober, reconciled with her family and paying her own bills.
“My addiction was strong, but I know for a fact that I was stronger,” Hearne said. “And I was able to come out of it. I do thank God every day I was able to and I had the resources that I had, and the guidance.”
‘I was a monster’: Fixing minds and changing lives in Marion County’s mental health court | Serving sobriety at Ann’s Restaurant in Franklin | An alternative to arrest: First-of-its-kind facility opens in Indianapolis
Contact WRTV reporter Vic Ryckaert at victor.ryckaert@wrtv.com or on X/Twitter: @vicryc.
AIC Referrals
Any Marion County resident in need can get a referral to a treatment program at the Assessment Intervention Center, 2979 E. Pleasant Run Parkway North Dr.
Walk in anytime, day or night or call 317-327-8733.
Need help?
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, call 211 to connect with resources in your area or visit the Indiana Addiction Treatment website.
The Indianapolis Colts began Phase 1 of their offseason schedule with voluntary work on April 21st, right in the thick of draft week. This period focuses on meetings, strength training, and rehabilitation before the team ramps up its workload for the rest of the summer.
Veterans quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. and cornerback Kenny Moore II have been away from the team as they remain on the trade block.
While work thus far has not been open to the media, there will be plenty of opportunity moving forward to get a closer look at the younger, faster Colts.
Here’s a look at the key dates Colts faithful will want to circle on their calendars, along with the media’s scheduled access dates (subject to change at the team’s discretion).
Rookie Minicamp: May 8-9
The 2026 Colts’ draftees get their on-field debut in their team-issued apparel as they take the field alongside undrafted free agents and prospects invited to participate for a try-out.
Most notably, it’ll be interesting to see where the Colts’ first two draft selections — defenders CJ Allen and A.J. Haulcy — are being used in defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s scheme.
This two-day glorified oreientation of sorts will feature far less team-based activities than it will individual drills and general acclimation to the pros, but it’s still a worthy introduction nonetheless.
This padless, non-contact minicamp is meant to familiarize the amatuers more than it’s meant to baptize them by fire, and head coach Shane Steichen will be sure to deliver that message.
OTA Offseason Workouts: May 26-27, May 29, June 1-2, June 4
This is the third and final phase of the offseason program, the first portion of the offseason where the offense and defense can come together for some 11-on-11 work.
With quarterback Daniel Jones, wide receiver Alec Pierce, and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner all set to be sidelined until at least training camp as they rehab their respective injuries, their presence will be greatly missed as far as teambuilding goes. On the flip side, at least those Colts below them on the depth chart will get some valuable run in their time away.
The on-field work will still be a non-contact simulation, though this is the first time when the veterans and the rookies will come together for practice. These workouts are still voluntary for the vets; it won’t truly be a first full look at the projected 2026 roster together, but that comes not too long after OTAs conclude.
Mandatory Minicamp: June 9-11
This will be the biggest offseason event yet, as it will be the closest we get to a real Colts practice. Unlike OTAs, which are voluntary, this minicamp requires that all members of the team be in attendance.
These sessions are more or less like the beginning of the training camp cycle, a period that features a similar practice regimen while still being padless and non-contact.
This will give us a closer look at how rookies are adjusting to the next level after being a month in, as well as provide a sneak peek as to which on-field chemistries are brewing.
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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The month of May begins with “the greatest spectacle in running.”
Runners from all over gear up for the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, with the first race starting at 7:35 a.m. Saturday.
At the Indiana Convention Center on Friday, participants were prepping. They picked out shoes and running gear, and checked out the course map. Organizers estimated over 20,000 runners for the big race day. There’s the 5K run and, of course, the half-marathon that runs through Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
This year marks the 50th annual Mini-Marathon. Organizer Linday Labas of the 500 Festival said, “We have five Indy alumni who have done this race all 50 years, so they just keep coming back. They like the other part of the month of May, celebrating and tackling it. I know it looks different now than it was 50 years ago, but they keep coming back, because they love the celebration around Indy Mini.”
Cecilio Martinez has marathon tattoos for all the times he’s run. He ran the Chicago, Berlin, Honolulu and New York City marathons. But, he only has one half-marathon inked on his calf, and that’s Indy’s Mini-Marathon with the 50th anniversary medal. He said this isn’t the first time he’s run the Indy Mini. “I like the course. I like the people. I love Indy Mini.”
Runner Karina McDougle said, “Unlike 2025, the race is going to be chilly with temperatures as low as 39 degrees. “Honestly, because I’ve been running in so much cold weather, I’m pretty used to that, and I would prefer that. I do overheat a lot. It’s great for me, I’m looking for a cool day.”
There are also lots of first-timers running the half-marathon, including Wabash Middle-High School wrestler James Day. “We’re just excited about the experience. They actually talked me into it. I didn’t want to do it originally. I ran one day this week. We’ll see how this goes. I just came back from a wrestling season, though, so I should be in a decent shape.”
At the end of the 13.1 miles, runners will receive a golden medal to mark their accomplishment.
The Indianapolis Colts are in a make-or-break season under longtime general manager Chris Ballard.
After exiting a season that featured yet another mid-season collapse, this regime is holding onto its last remaining breath of hope as it attempts to right the ship entirely. Colts Owner/CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon said in her post-season press conference that the sense of urgency ‘has never been higher’ for Ballard and Shane Steichen, who is entering his fourth season as the Colts’ head coach.
As a result, this offseason has featured numerous high-floor, low-ceiling decisions for Indianapolis. In an attempt to replicate last year’s early-season success, Ballard’s Colts are once again ‘running it back,’ something that has yet to produce meaningful results in past years.
Ballard’s recent draft has been deemed by some a near-perfect outing considering their situation — not having a first-round pick to bolster their roster — but more than anything, it’s a showing that addressed the team’s weakest position rooms.
From immediate contributors to sleepers and depth pieces, Colts on SI breaks down each draftee’s projected 2026 role.
Immediate Starters
Georgia LB CJ Allen
After trading longtime starter and leader of the defense, linebacker Zaire Franklin, to the Green Bay Packers, Georgia’s CJ Allen will slide in seamlessly as his replacement for the future.
“We’ve liked CJ (Allen) through the whole process,” general manager Chris Ballard began fawning over his newest linebacker in his post-draft press conference. “He stands for all the right stuff. He’s an athletic, fast MIKE. He’ll be a green-dot guy for us from the get-go. I mean, he’s a face of the program type of guy. He’s a really special dude now.”
Still just 21-years old, Allen did not compete at the NFL Scouting Combine as he was rehabbing a knee injury suffered late in his final season at Georgia, but Ballard and Co. are confident in his progress and foresee no setbacks ahead of the season after he worked out a few weeks prior to the NFL Draft.
LSU S A.J. Haulcy
Although the Colts replaced Nick Cross with an aggregate of veteran safeties in free agency to compete for the opening at strong safety, rookie A.J. Haulcy has the inside track at winning the job this summer.
The SEC safety moved up in competition each step of the way (New Mexico, Houston, LSU), starting in 44 of 48 possible games. Haulcy is a ballhawk who logged eight interceptions over the past two seasons, but his versatility to play both in the box and back deep is what’s most intriguing about his game.
Sleepers
Kentucky G Jalen Farmer
The Colts may have confidence in their projected starting five (Raimann, Nelson, Bortolini, Goncalves, Travis), but insurance beyond them was nonexistent entering the NFL Draft.
Kentucky’s Jalen Farmer is set to provide depth across the entire offensive line, while likely being prioritized across the interior as a former guard. He makes the third consecutive installment of fourth-round offensive linemen drafted by Chris Ballard, who are subsequently thrust into the Tony Sparano Jr. school of hard knocks — aka, a recently-established draft-and-stash process that has produced two full-time starters who are still on their rookie contract.
Farmer is projected to immediately become the team’s swing offensive lineman, though don’t count him out from winning the right guard spot from Matt Goncalves.
Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher
Boettcher is set to be a special teams demon as a rookie, but his plus coverage ability bodes well in his favor as he joins a position room that lacks a specialist as such — they do have Jaylon Carlies set to return, who has flashed in coverage, though his early injury history makes it difficult to bet on him moving forward.
The Oregon linebacker should compete for the opening at WILL linebacker alongside veteran Akeem Davis-Gaither. Even if he ultimately loses the job, Boettcher presents a high-floor for a depth piece, and more than likely carves out a role as a sub-package coverage defender.
Kentucky RB Seth McGowan
McGowan had a troubled past early in his college career, causing him to climb back to earn consideration as an NFL prospect. He has since earned the opportunity to not only join an NFL roster but also to truly compete for touches as the Colts have an opening at backup running back under star feature back Jonathan Taylor.
Oklahoma WR Deion Burks
The Colts entered the 2026 NFL Draft with an opening at wide receiver alongside Alec Pierce and Josh Downs, despite adding Nick Westbrook-Ikhine earlier this offseason.
Deion Burks immediately strengthens the depth chart at wide receiver, serving as a potential steal after being selected with one of the last picks in the draft (254th overall). His small build (5’9″, 180 lbs) suggests that he’ll sit directly under Josh Downs for the foreseeable future, but his experience at outside receiver points to a potential rotational role as early as his rookie season.
Long-Term Bets
EDGE George Gumbs Jr.
Indianapolis has been lacking juice at defensive end for far too long, and though Gumbs Jr. doesn’t scream day-one contributor as a former wide receiver turned edge defender, his profile as a long-term project takes no convincing.
It was a bit of a headscratcher to see the Colts finally address edge during the fifth round, though their lack of depth outside of an opening up top needed addressing, and Gumbs Jr. provides just that.
EDGE Caden Curry
Similar to Gumbs Jr., Caden Curry doesn’t project as an immediate force, though he does present a bigger production profile (16.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks as a senior) that you can see him contributing in a rotational role as a rookie.
Curry may have historically small arms, a threshold that NFL decision-makers often stray away from, but his relentless motor is worth betting on despite his physical limitations.
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