State unveils accessible ‘dashboard’ of data on opioid epidemic

The state on Wednesday unveiled a map-heavy Pennsylvania Opioid Data Dashboard, detailing the extent of the narcotics epidemic, the efforts to combat it and the available help.

Among the data nuggets available:

• In Allegheny County in 2016, there were 12,355 people with Medicaid coverage who had opioid use disorders.

• In the third quarter of last year, Allegheny County pharmacies distributed 262.5 opioid prescriptions per every 1,000 residents, among the higher rates in the state. Montour County had the highest rate, at 336.4 per 1,000. The lowest rate was 95.2 in Sullivan County.

• From late 2014 through the end of 2017, police in Allegheny County reversed 666 overdoses using the

drug naloxone.

The site also includes maps showing all of the state’s Centers of Excellence for coordinating treatment, 800 drug and alcohol treatment facilities, and the 686 drug takeback locations, where people can get rid of unused medications.

“Access to this data will allow our Opioid Operational Command Center, local officials and all those involved in battling the opioid crisis to look at where our efforts are needed most,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in a news release. “This information is vital as we all work together to help our loved ones, our neighbors and our communities who continue to be devastated by this crisis.”