Dallas City Hall delayed fentanyl overdose map. We need it now

How dangerous is the fentanyl epidemic in Dallas? The reply, sadly, is we don’t know.

The explanation? The town of Dallas has been gradual to implement a precious software that may present real-time surveillance knowledge about overdose places. The excellent news, nevertheless, is that after overcoming authorized considerations, town will accomplice with Dallas County Well being and Human Companies to maneuver ahead.

In September, town council supported becoming a member of the Overdose Detection Mapping Utility Program, a federally funded initiative that must be a precedence for Dallas.

Every single day, 196 Individuals die of a fentanyl overdose, a drug 50 instances stronger than heroin and 100 instances stronger than morphine, in response to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

This ODMAP software program helps native companies establish overdose spikes or clusters to warn hospitals and first responders the place to deploy sources. Greater than 3,700 companies nationwide use this software.

Nonetheless, town legal professional’s workplace had a priority. They questioned if Dallas Hearth-Rescue offering knowledge may probably violate HIPAA privateness guidelines, council member Adam McGough stated in a press release.

That made no sense on its face and was made even sillier by the truth that hundreds of different companies have been already engaged.

Nonetheless, town sought steering from the U.S. Division of Well being and was suggested that it may work to implement a mapping plan.

The director of the county well being division, Dr. Philip Huang, has already made the formal request, and metropolis employees is reviewing it.

“It’s my understanding and need that town will cooperate totally and supply the information requested,” McGough added.

Huang advised us that his crew is “pleased to facilitate” this program.

“There could also be some unknown particulars to deal with, however we undoubtedly wish to expedite as quickly as we will,” he stated.

We’re glad town is stepping up its efforts within the battle towards opioids. Final week, Legal professional Normal Merrick Garland emphasised the significance of cities becoming a member of this battle within the U.S. Convention of Mayors.

Dallas Police have additionally begun to analyze overdoses linked to fentanyl. In a briefing final December, police stated that greater than 60 unintentional deaths previously 12 months have been linked to the artificial opioid. Additionally, the fireplace division’s new Opioid Response Crew started working this week, McGough stated.

These are essential steps. However pinpointing the place overdoses are occurring utilizing ODMAP ought to turn into an essential software within the battle towards fentanyl.

Dallas wanted this yesterday. However we are going to take it tomorrow.

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