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A united effort to reduce gun violence in Indiana
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
A united effort to reduce gun violence in Indiana December 13, 2001Hoosiers who listen to the news or read the newspaper are very aware of the recent violent events that have occurred in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. Within the last three months, there have been almost daily reportings of violence, including homicides, suicides and workplace shootings. These high-profile firearm-related deaths include Deputy Sheriff Jason Baker, who was shot with an AK-47 automatic rifle, and Eric Rigney, a Brink's guard who was shot four times in front of a Marsh grocery store on the Far Eastside of Indianapolis. Most recently, two suicide cases in Indiana have received media attention, including the Galyan's incident in which a man shot himself with a display rifle. The other case involved a workplace homicide/suicide in which the shooter killed another employee and wounded six others before shooting himself.Overall, reports indicate that the number of homicides this year will surpass last year's total, with 111 in Marion County so far. While experts say there is no single explanation for this rise in violence, social scientists agree that factors such as the state of the economy and time of war can contribute to these increases. Many cities across the nation are experiencing similar increases in violent crime and homicide.Guns are used in the majority of homicides and suicides. In a recent report that analyzed gun-related deaths in Indiana from 1996-99, firearms were used in 73 percent of homicides, and 62 percent of suicides. And there are 12 Indiana counties that list firearms as the leading cause of death.In response to this critical public health problem, the Indiana Partnership to Prevent Firearm Violence was created. The partnership is housed at Riley Hospital for Children and is part of the Indiana University School of Medicine. The scope of the partnership focuses on Marion County during the first phase, and eventually will expand statewide. Its mission is to reduce the number of firearm-related deaths.Indiana's rate of gun deaths is higher than the national average and the second-highest of Midwest states, with 12.82 gun deaths per 100,000 for 1998, the most recent statistics available. Because gun violence is a complex issue with no simple solution, the partnership actively consults with an advisory board of more than 50 statewide professionals in law enforcement, education, medicine, policy making, business and the faith community.The partnership is currently collecting information on gun deaths and injuries from hospital emergency departments, coroners' offices and police departments. This information will be used to plan effective prevention programs, and the data collection effort may help predict future upswings in violent events.In addition, the partnership is planning a pilot gun violence education campaign in conjunction with the Forest Manor Weed and Seed Program in the spring. The curriculum will be designed for both adult and youth populations, and will focus on protecting families from firearm injury. The majority of gun-related deaths in the nation and in Indiana are suicides. Another promising prevention effort involves several health and mental health agencies that have united to form the Indiana Suicide Prevention Coalition. It will focus on public education regarding the warning signs for suicide, and the statewide resources that exist to help those in need. The coalition will also work to decrease the social stigma that accompanies suicide.We also want to reinforce the fact that every individual can take action to keep his family safe from firearm violence. As members of the community, we must all be more vigilant. Neighborhoods may need to strengthen their crime watch efforts and work collaboratively with police.We encourage those who own guns to keep them safely stored out of the hands of children or individuals who use alcohol, drugs, are depressed or exhibit violent behaviors. We also encourage parents to ask if there are guns in the homes where their children spend time, and to be certain they don't have access to them.Gun violence is a public health problem affecting all communities in Indiana and the nation. Strategies to reduce it will require effort from the entire community over a long period of time. Together, we can reduce gun-related violence.
Bull, M.D., is medical director of the Indiana Partnership to Prevent Firearm Violence and director of developmental pediatrics at Riley Hospital for Children. Caine, M.D., is director of the Marion County Health Department and a member of the partnership's advisory board. http://www.indystar.com/article.php?TXTB7A1921A.html
Bull, M.D., is medical director of the Indiana Partnership to Prevent Firearm Violence and director of developmental pediatrics at Riley Hospital for Children. Caine, M.D., is director of the Marion County Health Department and a member of the partnership's advisory board. http://www.indystar.com/article.php?TXTB7A1921A.html