This heartbreaking opioid overdose map is putting hundreds of human faces on an epidemic

Jeremiah Lindemann was featured in an article in Fast Company.

"As opioid addiction continues to ravage communities across the United States, mapping technology from Esri is helping loved ones of victims cope by letting them crowdsource an interactive memorial. The “Celebrating Lost Loved Ones” map, which was created in 2016 by Esri engineer Jeremiah Lindemann, allows users to add images and descriptions of their late loved ones, along with the place of their death.

The result is a poignant and devastating homage to overdose victims across the country, one that emphasizes the human toll behind the opioid crisis with a visual record of the people it is leaving in its wake.

Since it was created, the map has gathered more than 1,300 memorials and counting. In a testament to its effectiveness, the National Safety Council is announcing this week that it will “adopt” the map and use it to help raise awareness about the opioid epidemic.