Government Healthcare Policy, Business and Technology

Using Data Analytics and Mapping to Understand and Solve the Opiate Crisis

Data-Smart City Solutions: Americans are dying at an unprecedented rate from opiate drug poisoning -- the national average stands at 78 fatal overdoses per day. Heroin and prescription painkillers are killing more people per year than car accidents, a signal that the epidemic has reached historic proportions.

Forced to grapple with the ravaging effects of drug addiction and overdose in their communities, cities, counties, and states across the country are turning to data analytics and mapping to help alleviate the human toll and better direct critical resources to address the epidemic. Increasingly, the focus has shifted to tracking prescription drug providers, as it is further understood that the road to addiction and overdose can start with an innocent prescription filled for chronic pain or post-surgery -- the CDC estimates at least half of all fatal overdoses involve a prescription opiate.

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