The Shawnee County Commission held a work session on December 9, 2024, focusing on public health initiatives, particularly regarding overdose surveillance and harm reduction strategies. The meeting featured presentations from health department officials, including epidemiologist Britney Blattner, who introduced a new public-facing overdose surveillance data dashboard.

Blattner explained that the dashboard is designed to inform the public about overdose trends in Shawnee County. It is updated monthly and allows users to filter data by specific time frames, covering overdose occurrences from January 2020 to the present. The dashboard reports approximately 5,200 overdose incidents, 462 naloxone administrations, and 42 overdose fatalities during this period. Methamphetamine was identified as the most common substance involved in these overdoses, with alcohol also included in the data.

The dashboard utilizes data from the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP) and the Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-Based Epidemics (ESSENCE). These tools provide real-time surveillance and mapping of overdose events, helping to identify hotspots and trends in the community. Blattner noted that the dashboard aims to raise awareness about the overdose crisis and will soon include a resources tab for addiction recovery services and harm reduction supplies.

Following Blattner's presentation, Carrie Delph, the clinical services division manager, provided an update on the Kansas Fights Addiction grants. The county has applied for funding aimed at expanding harm reduction efforts, with a total request of over $186,000 from a $6 million grant program. Delph emphasized the importance of these funds in enhancing community resources and outreach related to overdose prevention and treatment.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue addressing the overdose crisis through data transparency and resource availability, highlighting the county's proactive approach to public health challenges.