New County Dashboard Shows Local Impact of Opioid and Drug Overdoses

September 3, 2025

The County of San Diego has launched a new Overdose Surveillance Dashboard to help address the opioid crisis by consolidating data on overdose deaths, emergency department visits, and naloxone usage across the region. Developed by County Public Health, this quarterly-updated tool supports the County's Overdose Surveillance and Response program by providing trend analysis and demographic information related to drug overdoses. The dashboard helps officials target resources where needed, such as distributing naloxone and fentanyl test strips in affected areas.

Who is affected

San Diego County residents at risk of opioid and drug overdoses
Families impacted by overdose deaths
Healthcare providers and emergency responders
Community organizations and law enforcement collaborating on prevention efforts
Public health officials using the data to direct resources

What action is being taken

County Public Health is maintaining and updating the new Overdose Surveillance Dashboard quarterly
Officials are tracking overdose trends in real time to pinpoint where resources are needed
Teams are being deployed to affected areas with naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and service referrals
Free naloxone kits are being distributed at multiple locations across the county
The County is collaborating with healthcare providers, community organizations, and law enforcement on prevention efforts

Why it matters

The dashboard strengthens the region's response to the ongoing overdose crisis
It provides a clear view of the scope of the opioid problem to help build awareness
The County's efforts have contributed to overdose deaths falling for the third consecutive year
The 21 percent reduction in overdose deaths from 2023 to 2024 demonstrates positive impact
The data helps target resources more effectively to prevent further deaths

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint