HARRISBURG – The Overdose Mapping Act will soon head to the governor’s desk after unanimous concurrence in the Senate today, Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) said.
“Enhanced real-time tracking of spikes in overdose reports is a critical tool we can use to fight our ongoing opioid epidemic,” Mastriano said. “This bill catches us up to other states that have implemented similar technology to recognize alarming patterns in real time and save lives.”
Senate Bill 1152, introduced by Mastriano earlier this year, requires first responders – including law enforcement and emergency medical services – to report overdoses into an electronic statewide system that will be developed and maintained in consultation with the Department of Health.
Standardizing use of a statewide system will help local officials identify emerging trends, mobilize an emergency response and alert law enforcement and EMS to the existence of fentanyl-laced drugs in a particular region.
In 2021 alone, the CDC said more than 100,000 people died nationwide from fentanyl and opioid overdoses, a 15% increase over the year before. Pennsylvania ranks third nationwide for overdose fatalities.
“Drastic times call for drastic measures,” Mastriano said. “We can’t put out fires that we can’t see and consistently using a mapping tool like this will give our first responders the visibility they need to act quickly, save lives and make communities safer.”
SB 1152 passed the House of Representatives earlier Wednesday. It now awaits the governor’s signature.
CONTACT: Doug Zubeck