Introduction

The opioid epidemic is a problem that started in the 1990s, but in recent years has dominated headlines. Yet for all the national media attention it has attracted, the crisis remains a local problem, demanding that local governments try innovative strategies to fit their communities’ unique needs. Many do this through the Opioid Mapping Initiative (OMI), a coalition of 17 local governments, universities, and nonprofits who meet monthly to swap insights, share best practices, and test their theories of change.

The Opioid Mapping Initiative began in October 2017, largely motivated and inspired by the work of the Police Data Initiative, which also encourages local governments to publicly release data. Both initiatives built themselves off a common understanding: Data can drive actionable results at the local level. Early practitioners in the OMI came to the work excited to learn more from others, and additional agencies have since joined to share their own approaches through the initiative’s monthly webcasts.

This report documents the efforts of the Opioid Mapping Initiative through its first year. On the following pages, case studies are included from a variety of the participating local governments: Northern Kentucky, which has amassed the most comprehensive database of opioid related data for a local area; the Tri-County area of Colorado, which developed heat maps to illustrate mortality, educating the public while considering individual privacy concerns; and Cook County, Ill., where staff were spending too much time answering public records requests for opioid data, so they created a real-time data dashboard to share information on opioid-related deaths.

The work from those in the Opioid Mapping Initiative is meant to provide a guide for others looking to engage with this topic. From those in local government looking for a place to start mapping opioid data, to those seeking to make a difference in their community, we hope this report will provide valuable insights and action items.

Included in this report are maps showing a national perspective on various aspects of the opioid epidemic. The Celebrating Lost Loved Ones map was the original inspiration for this work, and documents the stories of those who have lost their lives to opioids and addiction. Now managed by the National Safety Council, the map puts a human face to the problem and works to reduce stigma. The National Naloxone Access map represents a unique partnership with Walgreens, CVS, and local governments to share data on where people can buy or receive naloxone for free. Naloxone is a life-saving drug that reverses overdoses, and is critical to any effort to combat opioid-related deaths. A nationwide map is useful for public education and for identifying areas where further investment in first-response efforts is needed. Finally, the report includes the National Prescription Drop-off map, which plots the locations of various stores, government departments, and organizations that allow safe disposal of unused and addictive prescription drugs.

These national maps are critical tools for anyone looking to engage their local government in prevention, education, and response efforts. They show the scope of the problem, allow for crowdsourcing and community engagement, and provide clear opportunities for launching conversations that scale the national to the local.

All of these resources are free to use and share with your community. May they spark proactive conversations, provide inspiration for new local efforts, and bring renewed community engagement with problem-solving efforts.