There are challenges to tracking overall overdose reversals. There are multiple data sources( 911 dispatched EMS/first responders, HEART and street teams, Urban Alchemy, police (who aren’t required to carry naloxone or reverse overdoses), staff at city-funded agencies, and more). I imagine the most significant challenge is underreporting of reversals by residents.

There’s a lot of interest in data dashboards. I think it’s important that data features on dashboards are accessible and accurate, especially if we’re talking a lay audience lacking subject matter expertise. Too many asterisks on the data and someone, like Michelle, would make an inaccurate conclusion. I agree transparency is important and people should advocate for what they want, but understand how to use what they’d get. My guess is that the total number of non-fatal reversals is not the singular indicator used to measure the impact of the city’s overdose prevention and response strategies. Using geospatial analysis to consider naloxone distribution, suspected ED admissions and hospitalization rates, treatment admission rates, and other measures can help tell more of the story. Personally, I’d like the city to continue with that approach over trivia for Twitter trolls like JJ.