Mapping the Opioid Epidemic: How Local Governments are Taking the Lead on a National Challenge. is an in-depth article available online, by Jeremiah Lindemann and Emma Coleman, published by New America. Law enforcement analysts dealing with this problem as part of their work duties definitely should read this.
"The Opioid Mapping Initiative began in October 2017, largely motivated and inspired by the work of the Police Data Initiative, which also encourages local governments to publicly release data. Both initiatives built themselves off a common understanding: Data can drive actionable results at the local level. Early practitioners in the OMI came to the work excited to learn more from others, and additional agencies have since joined to share their own approaches through the initiative’s monthly webcasts.
This report documents the efforts of the Opioid Mapping Initiative through its first year. On the following pages, case studies are included from a variety of the participating local governments: Northern Kentucky, which has amassed the most comprehensive database of opioid related data for a local area; the Tri-County area of Colorado, which developed heat maps to illustrate mortality, educating the public while considering individual privacy concerns; and Cook County, Ill., where staff were spending too much time answering public records requests for opioid data, so they created a real-time data dashboard to share information on opioid-related deaths.
The work from those in the Opioid Mapping Initiative is meant to provide a guide for others looking to engage with this topic. From those in local government looking for a place to start mapping opioid data, to those seeking to make a difference in their community, we hope this report will provide valuable insights and action items."
The opioid crisis strikes close to home to me; I lost a son eleven years ago to heroin. It is my dear wish that you can help save some lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment