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Collier Sheriff Using Data To Map Real-Time Heroin Overdoses

By The Associated Press
Published August 28, 2017 at 12:34 AM EDT
WMFE

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is using software to map real-time heroin overdoses.

The sheriff’s office said Friday it was the first in the state to use the overdose mapping program. The agency also created a heroin task force in 2015.

Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said the technology will help alert law enforcement to overdose spikes caused by a bad batch of drugs or new types of drugs. Some can be absorbed through the skin and pose a risk for first responders.  It could also help paramedics know when to stock ambulances with extra Narcan.

Authorities said they are only responding to a fraction of the overdoses and need other agencies to participate to give a more complete picture. The head of the mapping program said it's being used by 89 other agencies in the United States.

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