INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Groups of dedicated volunteers weathered the rain Friday in the Garfield Park area for the Be a Good Neighbor event.

The goal was to meet people where they were to distribute information and resources on overdose prevention, provide free HIV and Hepatitis C testing, and pick up litter along the way.

The outreach program was put on by the Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD) in collaboration with the Damien Center, Step Up and Overdose Lifeline.

“The goal is to try to make it a better place and let people know that we’re here to help them,” Karly Van Slyke, Safe Syringe Access and Support program manager with the MCPHD, said. “Our goal is to give community resources. We have harm reduction resources as well. We have bags that we’re giving out to folks in the area that have water bottles, naloxone, hand sanitizer, all sorts of stuff.”

Van Slyke said the MCPHD has had Be a Good Neighbor events in the past, but this is the first one in the Garfield Park neighborhood.

“In 2025, there was a higher rate of EMS runs in the area for overdoses, so our goal is obviously overdose prevention, but we have some unhoused friends in the area and our goal is to just let them know we have stuff that can help them as well,” Van Slyke said.

According to a joint report from the health department and the Marion County Coroner’s Office, there were 113 suspected drug-intoxication deaths in the county between July and September 2025; a decrease from 225 suspected drug-related deaths during the same three-month span in 2024.

The Marion County Public Health Department plans to hold one more Be a Good Neighbor event this year.

For more information, the MCPHD’s infectious disease control department can be reached at (317) 221-2117.