W. Va. Officials Discuss New Overdose Mapping Tool

Oct. 03—A presentation will be held this week at Marshall University to overview the new Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP).

The ODMAP is a tool that can help communities by providing real-time overdose surveillance data across jurisdictions to support public safety and health efforts to mobilize an immediate response to an overdose spike. No personal identifying information is collected on the victim or location.

The presentation, set for 1 p.m. Thursday in the Memorial Student Center's basement, room BE-5, will be given by Jeff Beeson, deputy director with the Washington Office of High Intensity Drug Trafficking Agency (HIDTA); Dr. Rahul Gupta, commissioner for the Bureau of Public Health and State Health Officer; and Chad Napier, the prevention coordinator for Appalachian HIDTA.

Beeson said many states in the U.S. have lacked a consistent method to track overdoses, both fatal and non-fatal, in real time across jurisdictions, which is necessary to mobilize the public health response.

"The rate of fatal overdoses continues to increase at an alarming rate, climbing by 19 percent from 2015 to 2016 and remaining the leading cause of death for people under the age of 50," Beeson said. "We must alter the way we look at responding to the nation's drug threat and begin treating it like an infectious disease."

He said the ODMAP is a tool that links public health and safety resources through data to maximize resources in combatting the epidemic.

Gupta added, "An innovative and robust partnership among the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Drug Control Policy and HIDTA in making available the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program within the state is critical to addressing this crisis."

He noted the pilot phases with multiple counties and states have shown that the application is effective in tracking fatal and non-fatal overdoses and spikes.

To date, there are more than 185 teaming agreements with groups using the app, and hundreds of individuals interfacing with the system representing federal, state and local public safety, health and policy groups.

"We look forward to bringing this tool to more counties in West Virginia," Gupta said.

Amy Saunders, director of student health education programs at Marshall, said elected officials, local law enforcement agencies, first responders and other public health agencies are encouraged to attend Thursday's event.

To learn more about the ODMAP program, contact Beeson at the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA Office at jbeeson@wb.hidta.org.

The Register-Herald, Beckley, W.Va.