(Getty Images)
OMAHA — Buoyed by a new state law and a $4.4 million federal grant, a multi-agency task force has launched with greater access to information and an expectation to curb drug overdoses in Nebraska’s largest county.
“The scourge of accidental drug overdose deaths has come to our community,” Douglas County Health Director Lindsay Huse said. “We now have the tools to slow this destruction and save lives.”
Officials discuss work of a task force they expect will help curb drug overdoses. From left, Lindsay Huse, Douglas County health director; Joni Street, CHI Health pharmacy; Leah Casanave, Douglas County Health division chief. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)
Huse was among health officials who met with reporters Wednesday to speak about the Douglas County Overdose Fatality Review Team, which is to begin formal collaborations in March.
Before, the officials said, the 20-plus team members who represent health, law enforcement and other fields pursued their respective missions in a “silo” fashion. Now, they said, the law allows for a sharing of data and circumstances that should reveal a more complete picture — and lead to policy and other changes to prevent overdoses.