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The needed breakthrough may be just around the corner with the development of an online dashboard DrugTRAC, which uses an AI-powered algorithm to synthesize information provided from statewide lab records 麻豆精品 S� allowing for nearly real-time insights on the local drug supply.
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This initiative was created through Project Overdose, a community-based nonprofit focused on combating overdoses resulting from the opioid and drug epidemic that Cortelyou worked with for six years. Formerly called Project Opioid, Project Overdose partners with local business, faith, philanthropy and public health leaders to address substance use in Florida.
How DrugTRAC Works
Cortelyou collaborated with tech developer Social Innovation Technologies to help design DrugTRAC, which stands for tracking, reporting, advocacy and coordination. The data, which is anonymized and privacy-protected, relies on routine lab tests like urine and toxicology screens to offer researchers new insights into which substances are circulating in Florida communities.
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The dashboard compiles nightly drug-screen results and tracks more than 90 different substances before mapping emerging trends down to the ZIP code level. That information can then be used to alert community leaders and first responders to potential spikes and co-occurring substances, like the presence of fentanyl in cocaine.
DrugTRAC 麻豆精品 S檚 Current and Future Impact
The tool recently detected the presence of carfentanil, an extremely dangerous synthetic opioid that is nearly 1,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more than regular fentanyl. It could require four or five administrations of Narcan to revive someone from a fatal overdose, making it crucial that first responders and community leaders are alerted to any presence in the community.
However, artificial intelligence will take the tool 麻豆精品 S檚 impact to the next level. Cortelyou and the Social Innovation Technologies team anticipate being able to launch a more proactive approach with the help of AI in the next six months. By integrating an innovative, AI-powered algorithm into the system based on a range of data 麻豆精品 S� including economic indicators, major events, arrest records and time of year 麻豆精品 S� to predict future trends. That information can be used to provide early warnings to hospitals, emergency medical services, law enforcement and community organizations.
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Cortelyou says they are also currently investigating ways to make the alerts and information more accessible, like social media content targeted toward younger, more at-risk age groups.
Ultimately, Cortelyou hopes this technology can help communities get ahead of drug overdoses and help communities respond faster than ever before.
