Indianapolis, IN

Stronger than my addiction: $15-million facility in Indianapolis helped woman rebuild her life

Published

11 months ago

January 10, 2024

Stronger than my addiction: -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

Marquitta Hearne.

“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.

AIC crop.jpg — *The Assessment Intervention Center.*

“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.

Recovery sign AIC.JPG — *Sign posted in a hallway displaying art projects at the Assessment Intervention Center.*

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.

“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.

Judge Amy Jones.jpg — *Judge Amy Jones, presiding judge of the Marion Superior Court.*

“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.

*Free overdose reversal medicine is available in this box near the entrance to the Assessment Intervention Center.*

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.

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Indianapolis, IN

Colts Have an X-Factor for Lions’ Defense

Published

37 mins ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Colts Have an X-Factor for Lions’ Defense

The Indianapolis Colts (5-6) have arguably their toughest test of the 2024 season this Sunday as they host the Detroit Lions (9-1) at 1:00 p.m. E.T. at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Lions are revered as one of the best teams in the NFL, but it’s important to find out more about them ahead of time beyond what’s commonly known nationally. Are there areas the Colts can take advantage of to provide fans some hope, or are the Lions the giants they are perceived to be?

This week, Horseshoe Huddle exchanged questions with John Maakaron of Detroit Lions On SI to uncover more. Check out HH‘s answers for Lions On SI here!

HH: Jared Goff is playing out of his mind this year. What do you think is the biggest thing that Ben Johnson and Goff are leaning into to reach that level of efficiency?

JM: The Lions have placed an emphasis on taking care of the ball, and outside of the game against Houston, Goff has been very good at that. That’s not to say that he only makes safe throws, as the veteran quarterback has pushed the ball downfield as well. He also has several talented route runners around him, as they are able to beat coverages and get open on what seems like every play. All of this adds up to Goff being able to put the ball wherever he wants it, whenever he wants it.

HH: Given the short distance and indoor playing facility, this probably won’t feel like a typical road game for the Lions, but how differently do they play on the road versus at home?

JM: The Lions’ fans have traveled very well over the last several seasons, and with Indianapolis being a relatively short distance away, it’s likely that many fans make the trip. The team feeds off the energy that its fan base provides, and the fans take pride in making road stadiums feel like Ford Field. As a result, the Lions have played with a little extra edge in their road games.

HH: Is there a weak link on that Lions offensive line?

JM: When everyone is healthy, the Lions’ offensive line is one of the best units in the league. There have been some struggles at points this season, but overall, the unit has been solid and has lived up to expectations. Taylor Decker had some struggles for a stretch but looked better after returning from injury last week. As a whole, there are few issues with the group, but pass protection can always be improved upon.

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HH: How is the Lions defense at defending the pass over the middle of the field?

JM: This is an area that the Colts can test on Sunday, as veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone will be out for the first of what is expected to be between six-to-eight weeks. Jack Campbell fits the physical profile of an ideal middle linebacker with his size, but has room to grow in coverage. Still, the safety tandem of Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph has been elite this season and will make throwing the ball difficult, particularly over the middle of the field where both often lurk.

HH: Who wins and why?

JM: The Lions are hoping to get their ninth consecutive win. The Colts present a unique challenge with Anthony Richardson’s rushing abilities, as well as the threat he presents with his arm. However, he has been mistake-prone, and Branch and Joseph feed off mistakes. On offense, Detroit has been able to run the ball effectively for most of the season regardless of opponent, and this opens up the passing game. Indianapolis challenges early, but the Lions make enough plays to win comfortably: Lions 35, Colts 17

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Indianapolis, IN

Lions Matchup Huge Opportunity for Colts’ Anthony Richardson

Published

9 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Lions Matchup Huge Opportunity for Colts’ Anthony Richardson

The Indianapolis Colts need everything they can to defeat the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium tomorrow afternoon. While there are plenty of players to highlight in this cross-conference battle, all Colts fans’ eyes will be on quarterback Anthony Richardson and whether he can build on a solid week 11 victory. Bleacher Report‘s Brad Gagnon believes this game against the mighty Lions will be a big one for Richardson’s outlook.

Is the sudden resurgence of Anthony Richardson a sign of things to come or an aberrational performance from a dude who is talented enough to put those together on occasion? Sunday’s matchup with the Lions will be telling.
– Brad Gagnon | Bleacher Report

Richardson can’t let up with Detroit, as the Lions have an impressive 14 interceptions led by safeties Kerby Joseph (7 interceptions) and Brian Branch (4 interceptions). The Lions also boast a solid run defense, ranking 5th in the NFL with 94.8 yards allowed per contest. In short, while the Lions’ defense is exploitable without defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and linebacker Alex Anzalone, they still take the football away from reckless passers.

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How Richardson plays at home tomorrow against arguably the Super Bowl favorites will paint somewhat of a picture of what type of quarterback he can be. The Colts offense has great weapons like Jonathan Taylor, Josh Downs, Michael Pittman Jr., and Alec Pierce to help Richardson progress Shane Steichen’s attack. Still, it will need to be at 100mph to keep up with a scary Lions offense led by coordinator Ben Johnson and quarterback Jared Goff.

The Colts are still in the mix for a playoff hunt in the AFC but will probably see their toughest game of 2024 when Detroit visits the Circle City. The Lions’ brutalizing offense has put up 52 points on two occasions this year (Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars), so the Colts can’t afford many miscues on offense or defense. However, Richardson’s performance will likely decide if the Colts are or aren’t in the game.

Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis man leads class action lawsuits claiming rental discrimination

Published

17 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Indianapolis man leads class action lawsuits claiming rental discrimination

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An Indianapolis man is leading two class action lawsuits, accusing two separate housing providers of discriminatory practices in their rental policies.

Marckus Williams and the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana are suing Tricon Residential and Progress Residential, two nationwide housing providers that collectively managing more than 130,000 properties.

Williams tells I-Team 8 that he had long since served his time for a felony conviction, and even had his record expunged, when both housing providers denied his rental applications.

“This is not just me. This is an everyday thing for people who have felonies,” Williams said.

Williams says he’s changed since being convicted on drug charges in 2012. He now co-owns the Indy Fresh Market, a grocery built to serve an Indianapolis food desert.

“I did my time, I came home, I’m an advocate for the community,” Williams said.

Amy Nelson, the executive director of Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana, says the lawsuits are aimed at ending “blanket bans” on criminal and eviction history. The center advocates for applicants to be judged on a case-by-case basis.

“Past histories, past crimes should not always be continually held against us,” Nelson said. “People deserve second chances, particularly those who paid their debt to society.”

The housing center’s lawsuit against Progress alleges “arbitrary criminal history policies.”

It claims a Progress “blanket ban” on renting to people with felony convictions led to Black applicants being disqualified at a rate more than eight times than the proportion of white people disqualified, between 2012 and 2021.

The housing center says Tricon’s ban on renting to people with felonies disqualified Black applicants more than five times the amount of white applicants in the last seven years.

Tricon Residential told I-Team 8 in a statement, “Tricon Residential adheres to all fair housing laws and believes the allegations in this suit are baseless. We review resident applications fairly, ethically, and objectively, employing a ‘blind’ screening process not dissimilar from procedures used to review applicants for mortgages, apartment rentals, car leases, and credit cards.”

A spokesperson for Progress Residential said, “As a leading professional property manager, we are committed to promoting a fair and equitable screening process for all applicants. Although we do not comment on pending litigation, we take these allegations seriously and are currently reviewing the claims made in the lawsuit.”

Both class action lawsuits are still adding plaintiffs nationwide.

The housing center asks that anyone who believes they have experienced similar discrimination involving this company to contact them.

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