The Pennsylvania State Police Drug Analysis Unit has created the Overdose Spike Alert Program. This was established to support the requirements of the Overdose Mapping Act (ACT 158, 2022) to assist in combating the growing overdose epidemic within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Act provides a platform for all law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania to quickly share relevant information regarding the instance of an overdose or the use of an overdose reversal drug during an incident. An overdose threshold has been established for each municipality and county based on the last 12 months average overdoses in three timeframes (24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours).
These provisions of the Act play a pivotal role in generating near real-time notifications disseminated via email and text messages to subscribed users. This direct communication channel significantly enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement responses to overdose incidents. This program will also provide this information to local leaders within the community so they can be informed about increased overdoses in their area of interest.