Outreach Strategy for Combatting Opioid Abuse Informed by New Mapping Tool
Recognizing growing opioid abuse in the region, the Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) examined their emergency calls to get a clearer picture of overdoses.
A new mapping tool shows where first responders administered the overdose drug Narcan from 2016 to 2017. SVFD plans to collaborate with regional health agencies to create educational materials for those living in areas with high Narcan administration, aiming to reduce overdoses through proactive outreach to these communities.
However, Spokane Valley should recognize their data are limited: they only capture overdoses where someone calls for help. While the mapping tool can inform their outreach strategy in part, they should partner with other public health entities to leverage national best practices for combatting opioid abuse, including:
- Funding trainings to administer Narcan, based on successes of community initiatives like Project Lazarus
- Opening safe injection sites where drugs can be tested for potency and used needles disposed
- Providing services like counseling, rehabilitation, and connections to safe housing
- Pass strong good Samaritan laws to encourage people to call for help
As cities seek to address this $500 billion crisis, using the data they have for targeted outreach is a good start, but they must go much further.
Source: T. Graham (September 17, 2018). Spokane Valley Fire uses new mapping system to track opioid hot spots. Retrieved from https://www.kxly.com/news/spokane-valley-fire-uses-new-mapping-system-to-track-opioid-hot-spots/796425516?_lrsc=2ea0ac99-2494-4453-9ccb-f2a7713ea0f1&adumkts=social&aduc=social&adum=external&aduSF=linkedin&adut=ea
