U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly is calling on lawmakers to join the fight against drug abuse in Indiana, and around the country.

He's asking the nation's leaders to prioritize support in the 2016 federal budget to address prescription opioid abuse and heroin use epidemics.

In a letter to other lawmakers, Donnelly says the federal support is needed to fill critical funding gaps, where state and local efforts aren't enough.

Deaths from both prescription drug and heroin overdoses have increased the past few years.

The call for support comes in the midst of southern Indiana's HIV outbreak.

Last month, Governor Pence declared a Public Health Emergency in Scott County. At the same time, a needle exchange program was started. Numbers released today show nearly 600 needles have been taken in, and more than 1,500 have been distributed.

Officials hope another resource available to those in Scott County brings in even more needles.