Overdose Spike Alerts

Minnesota's system for detecting and responding to overdose spikes and anomalies. 

An overdose "spike" is when a specific area experiences an unusually high number of drug overdoses in a short time. When this happens, affected communities can inform, prepare, and mobilize response teams to save lives. 

To detect spikes, clusters, and novel drug threats in near real-time, MDH created MN-OD-ALERTS (Minnesota Overdose Alert, Local Engagement, Response, and Tracking System), a statewide overdose anomaly detection and response system linking state-level data to local response efforts. It was developed in partnership with the Overdose Response Strategy (ORS), a national program funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and CDC.

MN-OD-ALERTS will start by monitoring opioid overdose spikes before including overdoses from other substances.  

How it works

MN-OD-ALERTS primarily uses near real-time data from ambulance runs to detect overdose spikes. Other data sources, such as hospital visits, ODMAP, and community reports, are also used to validate whether a detected spike reflects a meaningful change in overdose activity. When spikes are validated, MDH notifies local and Tribal public health with recommendations for how to respond based on what the data shows.

• Step 1: Monitor Data. MDH monitors EMS and hospital data. When overdose counts are higher than expected in a certain area, MN-OD-ALERTS flags the data for further review. 
• Step 2: Review Data. MDH staff reviews the details of each flagged overdose, learning what happened, who was affected, and what substances may have been involved.
• Step 3: Alert Partners. MDH decides what level of response is needed – from continued data monitoring to a full statewide response – and alerts the Local and Tribal Public Health offices of affected communities.
• Step 4: Local Response. Local and Tribal Public Health offices review the alert, mobilize community partners, and respond to the spike as they see fit – with assistance from MDH, if desired.

Local Response

To support communities in responding when there is an overdose spike, MDH created the Minnesota Overdose Spike Alert Community Response Guide (PDF).  

The Minnesota Overdose Spike Alert Community Response Guide includes recommendations for assembling an overdose spike response team, actions for different partners to take during a spike, steps to consider after a spike has ended, and resources to help prevent and better respond to spikes. Communities are encouraged to assemble their spike response teams and develop a plan before a spike occurs. Creating a defined network of stakeholders to mobilize during a spike – and agreeing on a plan ahead of time – could allow your community to respond more effectively. 

Jurisdictions are encouraged to use this guide as a starting point and make it their own by modifying response actions and templates to fit the needs and resources of their community. The guide can be downloaded as both a PDF and Word document for easy customization. It also includes this digital media toolkit with editable graphics and templates for public messages. 

How Local and Tribal Public Health can get involved

Although there is no expectation that Local and Tribal Public Health agencies respond when they are notified of a spike, MDH hopes these alerts are relevant and actionable. Local and Tribal Public Health that want to participate can sign up to receive alerts and begin preparing for an overdose spike.

Sign up for Everbridge alerts. 
MN-OD-ALERTS delivers spike alerts to Local and Tribal Public Health through the Overdose and Substance Use Alerts subscription in Everbridge (formerly known as PartnerLink). Local and Tribal public health agencies can ask their agency’s local administrator to add staff from their jurisdiction. The Overdose and Substance Use Alerts subscription will also be used to communicate overdose prevention information outside the context of an overdose spike. 

Prepare your jurisdiction. 
Use the Community Response Guide to assemble an Overdose Spike Response Team and develop a local response plan. Convening partners in advance helps your community respond faster when a spike happens.

Already receiving ODMAP alerts? 
ODMAP and MN-OD-ALERTS are complementary systems. ODMAP provides near real-time situational awareness of general overdose-related activity, while MN-OD-ALERTS provides validated, context-informed alerts when opioid overdoses are truly increasing. 

If you would like to learn more about getting involved with MN-OD-ALERTS, please email the MDH Substance Use Epidemiology Unit: health.drugodepi@state.mn.us