By Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office
As part of the County’s work to reduce the number of lives impacted by opioid and other drug overdoses, a newly published dashboard is available that pulls together data from across the county.
The dashboard, developed by County Public Health, shows multi-year information on overdose deaths, emergency department visits and hospitalizations and calls to emergency response teams and poison control related to opioids. It also has data on how often naloxone (a life-saving medicine to treat an opioid overdose) was given to patients and demographic details.
The Overdose Surveillance Dashboard will be updated quarterly and is meant to provide a trend-focused view of the local impact of opioid and drug overdoses.
“This dashboard is part of the County’s Overdose Surveillance and Response program that is strengthening the region’s response to the ongoing overdose crisis,” said Dr. Erik A Berg, Assistant Medical Director for County public health epidemiology and immunization services. “This information is important to give a clear view into the scope of this crisis as we build awareness to prevent deaths.”
The County uses this information in real time to track overdose trends and pinpoint where resources are needed. Teams can be sent to affected areas with naloxone, fentanyl test strips and referrals to health and community services.
In recent years, these efforts, along with those of health, safety and community partners, have led to overdose deaths falling for the third year in a row, down 21 percent from 2023 to 2024. The new dashboard complements the annual report card shared last week.
Local leaders highlighted this work and marked International Overdose Awareness Day recently at the County Administration Center with an annual observance commemorating the lives lost to overdose last year.
“The County continues to lead overdose prevention and treatment efforts, in collaboration with regional healthcare providers, community organizations, and law enforcement, in order to save lives,” said Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan, County Public Health Officer. “We are making positive strides, but it is important to continue to raise awareness so that no more families are impacted by opioid and drug overdoses.”
Several locations across the county offer free naloxone kits. Locations can be found by using the interactive Substance Use and Medication Assistance Treatment and Naloxone Resource map.
Similarly, the interactive Prescription Drug Drop-Off Locator Map guides people to locations where they can safely dispose of unwanted medications.
Substance use treatment resources and support services are available by calling the San Diego Access Crisis Line at 1-888-724-7240 or the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. These resources are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can provide help in more than 150 languages.
