For Immediate Release:

Media Contacts:

Amy Webb
Chief of Communications
amy.webb@dhs.arkansas.gov

Marci Manley
Deputy Chief of Communications
marci.manley@dhs.arkansas.gov

New Public Opioid Dashboard Serves as Tool to Shine Light on Epidemic

For first time, data on opioid overdoses, deaths collected in one place

(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) —  A new online data system launches this week to give law enforcement, policy makers, health care professionals, and the general public a fuller picture of the opioid epidemic in Arkansas.

The Arkansas Opioid Response Dashboard is the first public comprehensive data system to track opioid-related deaths, overdoses, arrests, and prescriptions in Arkansas. It is available at artakeback.org/the-arkansas-opioid-dashboard.

“We need good data and analysis to more fully address the opioid epidemic in our state because we need to know the true extent and location of the problems before we can fully address them,” said State Drug Director Kirk Lane. “The dashboard is the perfect tool to help us do that. We can use the information to target resources to the greatest areas of need and the public can get a clearer picture of what is happening.”

The dashboard was developed by the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care (AFMC) in conjunction with the State Drug Director and Department of Human Services Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services. Funding was provided by a grant from the United States Department of Justice. Key participants include the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Arkansas State Crime Laboratory (ASCL), and the Arkansas Coroners’ Association.

The dashboard is available to the public while maintaining individual confidentiality. This data is useful for in-depth research, timely identification of spikes in drug crimes, and identification of areas of special needs and resource gaps. Lane said the dashboard is accessible by the public so that Arkansans can see what is going on around them to make good and healthy decisions.

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