Ohio is working at every angle to attack the substance abuse epidemic that continues to grip our region. A recent change could make a big difference in the way we think about and react to drug overdoses.

For many of us the overdose data with which we are familiar involves fatalities. That doesn’t give us the whole picture. Now, a change approved by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review will require emergency departments to report non-fatal drug overdoses to the Ohio Department of Health.

As Gov. Mike DeWine put it, this is a way to “address the overdose crisis, to support those in recovery, and to encourage wellness to prevent addiction in the first place.”

More accurate information, including a better picture of the populations or geographic areas disproportionately affected by non-fatal overdoses will help ODH develop strategies and allocate resource.

It’s another important step in Ohio’s fight. We’re already making headway with the expansion of accessibility to naloxone.

In the Buckeye State, the number of unintentional drug overdose fatalities has decreased by 5% since 2022. Nationwide, that figure has ticked up 1%.

These are important efforts. Our successes must be applauded, but the search for more such ideas must not stop.