The Maryland health department has launched an innovative interactive dashboard to better illustrate the severity of the opioid crisis in the state. This new tool enables users to pinpoint the locations of fatal overdoses and identify the demographics most affected by the epidemic. Additionally, the dashboard compiles data on non-fatal emergency department visits and instances where Naloxone, an overdose reversal medication, was administered by EMS.

Dr. Laura Herrera Scott, Maryland Health Secretary, emphasised that the dashboard will provide essential data to those at the forefront of combating the opioid and overdose crisis. It offers detailed demographic insights, such as age, ethnicity, gender, and zip code information about overdose incidents. Notably, the 21215 zip code, encompassing the Park Heights community, recorded the highest number of opioid-related deaths in Baltimore City from June 2023 to May 2024.

Source: CBS News