>>> ELLETTSVILLE AND RICHLAND TOWNSHIP LEADERS PRESENTED THEIR FORMALIZED PLAN FOR MERGING THE TWO GOVERNMENT ENTITIES INTO ONE.

RESIDENTS WILL HAVE THE FINAL SAY WHEN IT'S ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER.

>>> INDIANA'S MORTALITY RATES ARE SOME THE WORST IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE TAKE A LOOK AT HOW ONE VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION IS LOOKING TO REVERSE THE TREND.

>>> AND HOOSIER FOOTBALL PLAYERS LOOKING TO MAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL WORKED OUT THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS FOR SCOUTS FROM ALL 32 NFL TEAMS.

WE'LL HAVE THESE STORIES AND MORE, COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

THE HOPPEL SOUTH DEVELOPMENT IS ON HOLD UNTIL APRIL 22nd WHILE COUNCILMEMBERS AND CITY ADMINISTRATION WORK ON THE PROPOSAL.

MAYOR KERRY THOMSON SUGGESTED POSTPONEMENT AT THE START OF A FOUR-HOUR DISCUSSION OF HOW TO MOVE FORWARD AT THIS WEEK'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

>> THOMSON SAYS THE ADMINISTRATION TRIED TO ENGAGE COUNCIL EARLY AND GET INPUT.

>> BECAUSE IT DOES GET TO A POINT WHERE IT'S EXPENSIVE TO CHANGE THINGS AND -- AND IT CAUSES GREAT DELAYS.

WE REALLY GOT ALMOST NO FEEDBACK.

>> SIX OF THE COUNCIL'S NINE MEMBERS SAY THE CURRENT PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL FALLS SHORT ON ENSURING PERMANENT AFFORDABILITY, STREET IMPROVEMENTS AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S COUNCIL MEETING WAS MORE BACK AND FORTH ON COUNCIL'S REASONABLE CONDITIONS OR REQUEST OF THE PETITIONER FOR THE DEVELOPMENT.

THOMSON SAYS THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD IF SOME OF THOSE CONDITIONS WERE PASSED BECAUSE THEY WOULD CHANGE THE PROPOSAL, AND THAT WOULD INCREASE HOME COSTS.

THE CITY ADMINISTRATION SAYS SOME CONDITIONS ARE ILLEGAL AND WOULDN'T BE ADDRESSED.

>> WHAT'S THE POINT IF -- HE GUESS, THE IDEA THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS SAYING ALL OF THIS IS LEGAL IS COMPLETELY COUNTER TO THE OPENING REMARKS OF THE MAYOR.

YOU CAN'T HAVE BOTH.

>> WE DON'T HAVE TO MAKE THIS A LEGAL BATTLE, IF THE PETITIONER AGREES TO THE CONDITION.

>> SHE SAYS SHE'S WILLING TO COMPROMISE BUT CAN'T MAKE THAT DECISION WITHOUT MORE INFORMATION.

>> COUNCIL COULD RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AFTER ITS MEETING MONDAY.

IT PLANS TO USE SCHEDULED DELIBERATION SESSIONS TO WORK ON THE PROPOSAL.

THOMSON SAYS SHE HOPES TO HAVE A FINAL DECISION BY MAY 6th.

>>> THE COUNCIL MEETING CAME ONE NIGHT AFTER THOMSON DELIVERED HER THIRD STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS AT THE BUSKIRK-CHUMLEY THEATER.

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL BE AT FULL STAFFING BY THE END OF THE YEAR, ROAD PAVING MILES THE LAST TWO YEARS TOTALED THE PREVIOUS FOUR YEARS, AND CITY BEAUTIFICATION EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY.

BUT THE BIGGER PORTION OF HER SPEECH WAS CENTERED ON HOUSING.

THOMSON SAID TWO PERMITTING AUDITS ARE UNDERWAY TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR BUILDERS.

>> IF YOU ARE LISTENING TONIGHT, AND YOU ARE A HOUSING BUILDER OR DEVELOPER, HERE IS WHAT I WOULD SAY TO YOU.

PICK A LANE AND BUILD IT WELL.

>> SHE ALSO ADDRESSED HOMELESSNESS, POINTING OUT THAT IN JANUARY OF 2024, THERE WERE MORE THAN A DOZEN ENCAMPMENTS ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTY.

NOW THERE'S ONLY ONE.

>> THIS IS THE RESULT OF FOCUSED, COORDINATED WORK, DAILY ENGAGEMENTS, ACROSS AGENCY COLLABORATION AND CONSISTENT FOLLOW THROUGH BY CITY TEAMS.

>> THOMSON MENTIONED FLOCK ONCE SAYING THAT THE CITY IS REVIEWING THE CONTRACT AND WILL PRESENT TO CITY COUNCIL APRIL 15th.

>>> WELL, LAST NOVEMBER, COMMUNITY LEADERS FROM ELLETTSVILLE AND RICHLAND TOWNSHIP BEGAN WORKING ON A PLAN TO MERGE THE CITY AND THE 35 SQUARE MILE TOWNSHIP INTO ONE MUNICIPALITY.

AS ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS, THEY PRESENTED THE REPORT ON JUST HOW TO DO THAT THIS WEEK.

>> AFTER APPROVING THE LAST SUBCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ON PLANNING AND ZONING WEDNESDAY, THEY ARE READY TO VOTE ON THE FULL DRAFT.

>> IT'S REALLY, FOR THE MOST A WRAP ON THE ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE AND OUR WORK.

AND I WANT TO SAY I REALLY ENJOYED WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU.

>> TOWN AND TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENTS EXPLORED THE UNIFIED TOWN GOVERNMENT IN NOVEMBER.

IT COULD RELIEVE RURAL RESIDENTS OF MONROE COUNTY'S STRINGENT ZONING CORDS AND GIVE THEM A BIGGER VOICE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

>> THAT'S WHAT I HATE ABOUT THE COUNTY.

IT'S YOUR LAND.

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO WHAT YOU WANT TO WITH YOUR LAND.

>> IT WOULD ALSO MITIGATE THE LOSS OF PROPERTY TAX REVENUE DUE TO CHANGES IN STATE LAW.

BEFORE THE ISSUE GOES ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER, THE PLAN WILL BE REVISED BASED ON CONSULTANT FEEDBACK, GOVERNMENT REVIEW AND PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> MY OPINION IS PLEASE GIVE CONSIDERATION TO ALL OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE TOWNSHIP.

>> THE DRAFT MAY RECEIVE PUSHBACK WHEN PRESENTED TO ELLETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL WHOSE MEMBERS HAVE DISAGREEMENT ABOUT THE PROCESS.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>>> WE'RE JOINED NOW BY SHELBY BROWN FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, SHELBY.

>> THANKS, JOE.

NORDISK PLANS TO ELIMINATE JOBS.

IT CURRENTLY EMPLOYED ABOUT 1800 PEOPLE AT ITS PLANT ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE TOWN.

THEY PURCHASED THE COMPANY FROM CALATENT IN 2024 FOR $16.5 BILLION.

THE COMPANY'S STATEMENT SAYS IT WILL REMAIN COMMITTED TO EMPLOYEES WHO WILL BE IMPACTED BY PROVIDING THEM SEVERANCE, OUTPLACEMENT ASSISTANCE AND TRANSITION SUPPORT.

>>> PRIMARY CONSTRUCTION OF INSTALLING INTERNET FIBER IN THE CITY IS EXPECTED TO RESUME IN MAY.

THE CITY PARTNERED WITH MERIDIAN AND GIGABITNOW TO SPEND $50 MILLION ON THE PROJECT BUT ONLY ABOUT HALF THE CITY HAS ACCESS TO THE NETWORK AS WORK STOPPED A YEAR AGO DUE TO A NUMBER OF ISSUES INCLUDING THE COMPANY DOING THE INSTALLATION GOING UNDER.

>> A YEAR DELAY IS NOT DESIRABLE, BUT IT'S ALSO NOT THE END OF THE WORLD.

THIS IS AN INVESTMENT, YOU KNOW, THAT WE SEE PAYING DIVIDENDS FOR THE -- THE COMMUNITY FOR DECADES, YOU KNOW TO COME.

>> THE FIBER BRAND HAS CONTINUED TO LAY FIBER IN AREAS NOT CONTROLLED BY THE CITY.

>>> TEACHERS ARE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT A NEW INDIANA LAW BANNING CELL PHONES IN SCHOOLS THIS FALL.

IT BANS STUDENTS FROM USING PERSONAL WIRELESS DEVICES SUCH AS PHONES, SMART WATCHES AND TABLETS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY.

DEVICES BROUGHT TO SCHOOL WOULD BE STORED IN AN INACCESSIBLE PLACE DURING SCHOOL HOURS.

>> MY GREAT HOPE IS THAT MY CLASSROOM IS LOUDER BEFORE CLASS STARTS BECAUSE STUDENTS ARE INTERACTING MORE, AND THE LUNCHROOM IS A LITTLE LOUDER AND PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY MAKING THOSE, LIKE, IMPORTANT ONE-TO-ONE CONNECTIONS OR FINDING NEW FRIENDS.

>> THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS CREATING A GUIDANCE DOCUMENT TO HELP SCHOOLS IMPLEMENT NEW RULES THAT WILL BE SENT OUT LATER THIS YEAR.

SCHOOLS MUST ADOPT POLICIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW BY JULY 1st.

>>> A FEDERAL JUDGE IN INDIANAPOLIS HAS DISMISSED A LAWSUIT ALLEGING THAT A FORMER INDIANA UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM DOCTOR SEXUALLY ABUSED PLAYERS DURING PHYSICALS.

THE LAWSUIT, WHICH NAMED I.U.

AND FORMER TRAINER TIM NARL WAS CENTERED ON THE FORMER TEAM DOCTOR, WHO DIED LAST YEAR AT AGE 89.

BUT A JUDGE THIS WEEK RULED THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS HAD EXPIRED ON THE CASE.

>>> ANONYMOUS DONORS ARE GIVING INDIANA UNIVERSITY MAURER SCHOOL OF LAW MORE THAN $1.5 MILLION.

THE 156 J.D.

GRADUATES THIS YEAR WILL EACH RECEIVE $10,000.

THE DEAN SAYS THE GIFT WILL GIVE 2026 GRADUATES AN EARLY ADVANTAGE THAT REDUCES THE BURDEN OF DEBT.

THE DONOR HAS REQUESTED TO STAY ANONYMOUS AND THEY SAY THEY HOPE THEIR GIFT WILL INSPIRE OTHERS TO PAY IT FORWARD.

>>> THE FAMILY OF LONG-SERVING INDIANA CONGRESSMAN LEE HAMILTON WILL HOLD A PUBLIC CELEBRATION OF LIFE ON APRIL 18th AT THE BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY IN COLUMBUS.

HAMILTON DIED IN FEBRUARY AT AGE 94.

THE 17-TERM DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE IS BEST REMEMBERED FOR HIS BIPARTISANSHIP AND FOREIGN POLICY EXPERTISE.

HE LIVED IN BLOOMINGTON WHERE HE REMAINED ACTIVE UNTIL HIS DEATH AS A POLITICAL COMMENTATOR AND UNIVERSITY LECTURER.

>>> CANCER TREATMENT IS STRESSFUL, ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.

BUT ONE INDIANA UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR OF SUPPORTIVE ONCOLOGY HAS BEEN USING GUIDED MUSIC AND PLAY TO REDUCE THAT TRAUMA.

>> WHAT'S REALLY BEAUTIFUL ABOUT ACTIVE MUSIC ENGAGEMENT IS THAT IT IS INTENDED FOR BOTH THE PARENT AND THE CHILD, AND WE NOW HAVE EVIDENCE THAT IT LOWERS THE STRESS LEVELS FOR BOTH PARENTS AND CHILDREN AT THE SAME TIME.

>> SHE SAYS THE RESEARCH SHOWS MUSIC THERAPY HELPS IN THE SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM.

NOW, ROB IS WORKING TO MAKE MUSIC THERAPY MORE ACCESSIBLE.

THE GOAL IS TO HELP THE RIGHT FAMILIES AT THE RIGHT TIME.

>> ALTHOUGH MUSIC THERAPY IS BECOMING A STANDARD OF CARE IN A LOT OF PEDIATRIC HOSPITALS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, IT'S STILL A LIMITED RESOURCE.

>> SHE'S ALREADY WORKING ON A NEW STUDY WITH SIX HOSPITALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>>> AND THE BLOOMINGTON FARMERS MARKET OPENS ITS 52nd SEASON THIS SATURDAY AT SHOWERS COMMON.

THIS YEAR, THE MARKET WILL INCLUDE A WEEKLY MAYOR'S TEAM AT THE TABLE FROM 10 A.M.

TO NOON.

THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM WILL OFFER MARKET ATTENDEES THE CHANCE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND TALK WITH CITY REPRESENTATIVES.

AND JOE, PRODUCTS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE THIS WEEKEND INCLUDE EGGS, CHEESE, MEATS, HONEY, FOOD AND BEVERAGES AND A VARIETY OF PROJECTS AND CUT FLOWERS.

>> OH, I CAN'T WAIT!

HOPEFULLY THE WEATHER, THOUGH, WILL TURN OUT OKAY.

>> YES, FOR SURE.

>> THANKS, SHELBY.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," ONE ORGANIZATION IS LOOKING TO REVERSE THE TREND OF MATERNAL MORTALITY IN INDIANA, WHICH IS AMONG THE WORST IN THE NATION.

>>> AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL PLAYERS LOOKING TO MAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL SHOWCASE THEIR TALENTS THIS WEEK FOR NFL SCOUTS.

>>> THESE STORIES AND MORE, RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

INDIANA'S MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES ARE SOME OF THE WORST IN THE U.S.

THESE RATES TRACK DEATHS FOR WOMEN DURING PREGNANCY AND UP TO ONE YEAR AFTER GIVING BIRTH.

STATE REPORTS SHOW A TOP CAUSE OF DEATH OVERDOSE.

AUBREY WRIGHT HAS MORE ON HOW ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ARE DRIVING MATERNAL DEATHS IN INDIANA.

>> DANA CAHILL WALKS THROUGH STOCKPILES OF SUPPLIES FOR BABIES AND MOTHERS, ALL HANDED OUT FOR YEAR.

SHE SAYS SHE'S GIVEN OUT BAGS AND BAGS TO FAMILIES, WHATEVER THEY NEED AT THE TIME.

EVERY MOTHER GETS A PLANNER TO KEEP THEM ON TRACK DURING PREGNANCY.

>> LIKE NUMBERS TO TRIAGE.

IT HAS ALL OF OUR NUMBERS IN IT.

>> CAHILL IS A PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST FOR THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK'S CHOICE PROGRAM.

IT'S A VOLUNTARY 24/7 PROGRAM THAT HELPS MOTHERS DETOX AND RECOVER FROM SUBSTANCE USE.

CAHILL HAS GONE THROUGH THE PROGRAM HERSELF AND SHE CREDITS GOD WITH GIVING HER A CHANCE TO GIVE BACK.

>> YOU'RE ESSENTIALLY PICKING YOURSELF BACK UP AND STARTING ALL OVER.

I TRY TO HELP LIGHTEN THAT LODE.

>> SUBSTANCE ABUSE CAN COMPLICATE THINGS FOR THE MOTHER AND BABY.

THE PATIENTS GET MEDICATION THAT'S SAFE FOR BOTH OF THEM AND IT HELPS WITH WITHDRAWAL.

AND DURING THEIR STAY, WHICH LASTS A FEW DAYS, STAFF CONNECT MOTHERS WITH THERAPY AND LONG-TERM CARE.

>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF PARENTS WILL NEED SOME SORT OF IN PATIENT REHABILITATION TO HELP WITH THEIR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.

>> THE CHOICE PROGRAM IS ONE OF THE FEW RECOVERY SPACES IN INDIANA JUST FOR MOTHERS, AND THEIR PATIENT LOAD HAS BEEN GROWING.

CHOICE PROVIDERS SAY THEY WISH THERE WERE MORE RESOURCES FOR MOTHERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> PREGNANCY DOESN'T CURE ADDICTION.

LIKE, IF YOU WERE ADDICTED BEFORE YOU GOT PREGNANT, YOU ARE STILL GOING TO HAVE AN ADDICTION AFTER THEY GET PREGNANT.

WITH VERY TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AND GET THEM THE HELP THEY NEED IN THAT MOMENT.

>> OVERDOSE IS THE TOP CAUSE OF DEATH FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND NEW MOTHERS.

ACCORDING TO STATE MATERNAL MORTALITY REPORTS.

ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE 367 DEATHS INVESTIGATED OVER FOUR YEARS WERE LINKED TO IT.

DR.

CAMILLEA ARNAUDO SAYS A OCCUR AFTER BIRTH.

IN THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD, THE RISK OF HAVING AN OVERDOSE IS HIGHER THAN HAD YOU NEVER BEEN PREGNANT.

>> SO WHY WERE THESE OVERDOSES SO COMMON?

IT'S HARD TO NARROW DOWN THE EXACT CAUSE, AND ARNAUDO SAYS THE POSTPARTUM PIECE NEEDS MORE RESEARCH BUT THERE ARE THROUGH LINES, FOR EXAMPLE, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND PAST TRAUMA OFTEN TRIGGER DRUG USE.

>> THERE'S SOME ESTIMATES BETWEEN 80 TO 90% OF PATIENTS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS HAVE AN ADDITIONAL BEHAVIOR HEALTH DISORDER OR MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER THAT'S EITHER WITHIN DIAGNOSED OR UNDIAGNOSED.

>> GUIDELINES SAY MOTHERS WITH HIGH-RISK PREGNANCIES SHOULD HAVE FOLLOW-UPS SOON AFTER GIVING BIRTH, BUT ARNAUDO SAY THOSE PATIENTS OFTEN SKIP THEIR APPOINTMENTS FOR PRACTICAL REASONS SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION AND CHILD CARE.

AND THEY DON'T FEEL THAT THEIR NEEDS ARE BEING ADDRESSED.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS AND HAVE PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS TEND NOT TO PRESENT FOR THAT SIX-WEEK FOLLOW-UP.

>> THERE'S ANOTHER COMMON FACTOR IN MATERNAL MORTALITY REPORTS.

INDIANA'S DATA SHOWS THE WOMEN HAD SOME INVOLVEMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SERVICES, EITHER WHEN THEY WERE CHILDREN OR AS A MOTHER.

INDIANA HAS STRICT REPORTING GUIDELINES FOR DRUG ABUSE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE REALLY FEAR THOSE REPORTS, AND, YOU KNOW, FEAR BEING SEPARATED FROM THEIR BABIES SO THEY TEND TO NOT ALWAYS PRESENT TO CARE.

>> WHEN MOTHERS SKIP OUT ON APPOINTMENTS, THEY ARE ALSO MISSING OUT ON HELP WITH LONG-TERM SOBRIETY AND RECOVERY.

>> THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO REDUCE THEIR USE DURING PREGNANCY BECAUSE THEY ARE MOTIVATED NOT TO EXPOSE THE BABY IN UTERO, BUT THEY DIDN'T FULLY ENGAGE IN TREATMENT AND SO WE WERE NOT ABLE TO DO THINGS LIKE RELAPSE PREVENTION OR OTHER FORMS OF INTERVENTIONS THAT WE WOULD DO WITH SOMEONE THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH.

>> ALL PROVIDERS ARE REQUIRED TO SCREEN FOR SUBSTANCE USE AND STATE EXPERTS ARE WORKING ON SOLUTIONS TO FILL GAPS IN MATERNAL CARE.

FOR EXAMPLE, HARM REDUCTION ADVOCATES ARE ALREADY SPREADING OVERDOSE REVERSAL MEDICATION AND FENTANYL TESTING STRIPS AND AT THE CHOICE PROGRAM, COMPASSION, NOT JUDGMENT, IS ONE WAY TO KEEP MOTHERS ALIVE.

>> I THINK IT'S JUST IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO REMEMBER HOW TO TREAT PEOPLE KINDLY AND -- AND REMEMBER THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT OUR BEST SELVES WHEN WE WALK IN THOSE DOORS.

>> AND DOCTORS SAY STRICT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LAWS AND LACK OF OB-GYNs ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE HIGHER MORTALITY RATE.

FOR MORE ON THE STORY, WE ARE JOINED BY AUBREY WRIGHT.

AUBREY, WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

>> HI, JOE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS DATA.

YOU SAID ONE-THIRD OF DEATHS ARE CAUSED BY OVERDOSES, BUT HOW DOES THE REVIEW COMMITTEE KNOW THIS?

>> MM-HMM.

SO THE COMMISSION HAS A LONG PROCESS THAT VETTED MORE THAN 350 DEATHS AND I WILL TRY TO SIMPLIFY IT.

WHEN THEY STARTED THIS WORK IN 2018, THEY REALIZED DEATH CERTIFICATES WEREN'T ALWAYS ACCURATE.

SO THEY WENT THROUGH NEWS REPORTS, SOCIAL MEDIA, MEDICAL RECORDS, STATE RECORDS, MANY DIFFERENT SOURCES, AND THEN THEY BUILT AN ACCOUNT OF WHO THIS WOMAN WAS.

SO THAT'S HOW THEY LEARNED JUST HOW MANY OF THESE WOMEN OVERDOSED AND CONFIRMED INTENTIONAL OVERDOSES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THAT FIGURE.

>> SO IN THE STORY, YOU SHARE A LOT ABOUT THE MOTHER AND THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD, BUT HOW DOES SUBSTANCE USE AFFECT THE BABY?

>> MM-HMM.

SO THESE ARE HIGH-RISK PREGNANCIES AND SUBSTANCE USE CAN LEAD TO A NUMBER OF COMPLICATIONS, AND THAT DOESN'T JUST APPLY TO ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES LIKE HEROIN OR OPIOIDS.

ALCOHOL AND SMOKING ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THAT.

SO THERE'S AN INCREASE IN THE POSSIBILITY OF STILLBIRTHS, PREMATURE BIRTHS, LOW BIRTH WEIGHT, THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND WHEN MOTHERS USE ADDICTIVE DRUGS, IT'S POSSIBLE THEIR BABY COULD GO THROUGH WITHDRAWAL.

I TALKED WITH DR.

SARAH GOTMAN WHO HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS AREA, AND SHE SAYS DOCTORS NEED TO WATCH NEWBORN BABIES FOR ABOUT FIVE DAYS.

>> IF THAT MEDICATION IS NECESSARY, WE WOULD MAINTAIN IT UNTIL THE SYMPTOMS ARE CONTROLLED AND WEAN IT DOWN AND THEN WATCH THEM 48 HOURS AFTER THE LAST DOSE AND THEN THEY WOULD BE READY TO GO HOME.

SO A LOT OF WHAT WE'RE DOING IS EDUCATION DURING THAT TIME.

MOST KIDS DON'T NEED MEDICATION TO TREAT WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS.

WE JUST NEED A CALM ENVIRONMENT.

THEY NEED TO BREAST FEED.

>> AND SHE SHARED A SAYING WITH ME, THE MOTHER IS THE MEDICINE, BECAUSE OF HOW IMPORTANT THOSE CONNECTIONS AFTER BIRTH ARE.

>> NOW, THE DOCTORS YOU INTERVIEWED TALK ABOUT USING MEDICATION TO HELP WITH ADDICTION, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

>> MM-HMM.

WHEN PEOPLE WANT TO STOP USING, THEY OFTEN RUN INTO ROADBLOCKS WITH WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS AND THESE CAN BE VERY INTENSE.

SO SOME PEOPLE COMPARE IT TO A BAD FLU.

IT CAN BE PAINFUL AND UNCOMFORTABLE.

SO THAT'S WHERE THIS MEDICATION COMES IN.

YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD OF METHADONE OR SUBOXONE, MAYBE YOU HAVEN'T.

I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS BEFORE I STARTED COVERING ADDICTION, BUT THESE MEDICATIONS ARE SAFE DURING PREGNANCY AND DOCTOR GOTMAN TOLD ME, TRANSITIONING TO THESE MEDICATIONS CAN BE SCARY, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT STEP TO BECOMING HEALTHIER AND RECOVERING.

>> THE THING THAT PEOPLE OFTEN FEEL ONCE THEY ARE ON MEDICATION IS THEY CAN'T BELIEVE HOW UNCOMFORTABLE THEY WERE WHEN THEY WERE USING THE SUBSTANCE.

THEY FORGET THAT, LIKE, THE DAILY LIFE IS HARD WHEN YOU ARE USING SUBSTANCE, YOU'RE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME GETTING THE SUBSTANCE, BEING WORRIED ABOUT HAVING AN OVERDOSE OR MAYBE HAVING OVERDOSES AND ENDING UP IN THE E.R.

IT'S A STRESSFUL LIFESTYLE AND PEOPLE FEEL SO RELIEVED TO BE ON MEDICATION.

I WANT THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYBODY.

>> SO AUBREY, WE KNOW OVERDOSES ARE A MAJOR DISTRIBUTOR TO THE MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE BUT YOU ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THESE DEATHS ARE PREVENTABLE.

CAN YOU TELL US MORE?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

THE STATE'S REVIEW COMMISSION FOUND ABOUT 70 TO 80% OF ALL MATERNAL DEATHS ARE PREVENTABLE, AND THAT INCLUDES OVERDOSE DEATHS.

AND THIS IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR YEARS, OVERDOSE RATES AND MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES HAVE IMPROVED IN INDIANA.

AND HERE'S WHAT DR.

GOTMAN HAD TO SAY ABOUT IT.

>> PATIENTS CAN ABSOLUTELY HAVE A HEALTHY PREGNANCY.

THEY CAN HAVE A NORMAL DELIVERY.

THEY CAN HAVE A HEALTHY NEWBORN AND A HEALTHY CHILD GOING FORWARD, WITH THE PROPER SUPPORT AND THAT PRENATAL CARE REALLY MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN ENGAGING WITH TRUSTED PROVIDERS REALLY MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

>> ALL RIGHT, AUBREY, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPORTING ON THIS REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUE.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> WELL, SCOUTS FROM ALL 32 NFL TEAMS WERE ON HAND WEDNESDAY FOR INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S PRO DAY.

THAT'S WHERE PLAYERS GO THROUGH WORKOUTS, LOOKING TO IMPROVE THEIR CHANCES OF MAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

AS PAT BEANE REPORTS ONE HOOSIER ON DISPLAY IS NOT ONLY A LOCK TO BE DRAFTED, HE'LL LIKELY BE THE FIRST PICK.

>> AFTER WINNING THE HEISMAN TROPHY AND LEADING INDIANA UNIVERSITY TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, FERNANDO MENDOZA DOESN'T HAVE A LOT LEFT TO PROVE TO NFL SCOUTS.

AFTER ALL, HE'S EXPECTED TO BE THE FIRST OVERALL PICK BY THE LAS VEGAS RAIDERS BUT THERE HE WAS ON WEDNESDAY, THROWING 50 PASSES TO HOOSIER RECEIVERS AND RUNNING BACKS, HOPING TO HELP THEM IMPROVE THEIR STOCK.

>> I WANTED TO HELP MY TEAMMATES AND PUT THEM IN POSITIONS TO SHOW WHAT THEY GOT AND MAKE PLAYS AND I'M VERY EXCITED FOR THEM AND THE FUTURE.

>> IT'S THAT KIND OF SELFLESSNESS AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL THAT HAS MENDOZA WHERE HE IS, BUT HE KNOWS HE WILL HAVE TO ALTER HIS GAME TO BE A STARTING QUARTERBACK IN THE NFL.

>> IT WILL BE A LOT MORE UNDER CENTER.

THAT'S A BIG ADJUSTMENT AND JUST THE NATURE OF THE GAME.

THE HASHES ARE ALSO MORE CONDENSED AND THE SPEED OF THE GAME IS GOING TO BE FASTER.

>> MENDOZA WON'T BE THE ONLY HOOSIER TO HEAR HIS NAME CALLED DURING THE THREE-DAY DRAFT IN THREE WEEKS.

ESPN PROJECTS SIX I.U.

PLAYERS WILL BE TAKEN DURING THE SEVEN ROUNDS.

OMAR COOPER, JR., IS ALSO CONSIDERED A POSSIBLE FIRST ROUND DRAFT CHOICE.

FELLOW WHITEOUT AND QUARTERBACK DEANGELA PONDS PLAN TO BE SECOND AND THIRD ROUND PICKS ON DAY TWO.

THEY SAY HAVING SO MANY PLAYERS HEADING TO THE PROS IS A WINDFALL FOR THE PROGRAM.

>> I THINK IT'S HUGE NOT ONLY FOR UNIVERSITY, BUT THE STATE OF INDIANA, ESPECIALLY RECRUITS.

WHY SHOULD YOU GO TO INDIANA?

WE'RE PRODUCING NFL TALENT.

>> AFTER HAVING THE SEASON THAT THE HOOSIERS JUST WRAPPED UP, THEY DESERVED A DAY WHEN THE NFL WATCHED TWO DOZEN PLAYERS SHOWCASE WHAT THEY CAN BRING TO A PRO FRANCHISE.

>> FOR ME, YOU WILL GET THE HARDEST WORKER IN THE ROOM.

I KNOW AS CLICHE AS IT SOUNDS, IT'S THE TRUTH ABOUT ME, I JUST WANT IT MORE THAN EVERYBODY ELSE.

I PUT THE PREPARATION IN AND IF YOU WATCH ME PLAY FOOTBALL, YOU CAN SEE HOW MUCH I LOVE FOOTBALL.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M PAT BEANE.

>>> NOW, INDIANA HASN'T HAD A PLAYER DRAFTED IN THE FIRST ROUND SINCE 1994, WHEN THOMAS LEWIS WAS SELECTED BY THE NEW YORK GIANTS WITH THE 24th OVERALL PICK.

SPRING PRACTICE CONTINUES FOR THE 2026 VERSION OF THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM.

THE SESSION WRAPS UP WITH THE SPRING GAME THURSDAY, APRIL 23rd.

THAT'S THE SAME NIGHT AS THE FIRST ROUND OF THE NFL DRAFT.

>>> AND THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM.

BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE