WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) introduced the Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act to help communities identify and tackle drug abuse trends. The bipartisan bill would provide Department of Justice (DOJ) grants to states, cities, law enforcement units and tribes that operate overdose data collection programs, such as the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP).
“The fight to end addiction and drug abuse in our communities requires a robust understanding of the problem at hand. By investing in local partners, we empower communities to more effectively track drug abuse trends and prevent future overdoses,” Grassley said. “I’m glad to support this cost-effective plan to expand vital data collection programs.”
“When responding to fentanyl overdoses, an extra minute can save a life,” Cantwell said. “Tracking fatal and non-fatal opioid overdoses will help our first responders, law enforcement, and public health professionals better target and prevent OD spikes and surge resources to communities that need them the most.”
Additional cosponsors include Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).
View bill text HERE.
Background:
ODMAP is a free, web-based platform that reports in near real-time suspected overdose events, as well as incidents where overdose reversal medications, like Naloxone, were administered. ODMAP helps to identify spikes and clusters of overdoses in communities, neighboring communities and nationwide. While ODMAP is a widely favored platform, the DOJ would retain discretion in determining which data collection program is best for each grant applicant.
-30-