“We use GIS every day to help us track parcels of land, create street maps, and help connect our residents to their parks,” said Reisinger. “By harnessing the same technology, we can tell the story of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones who we’ve lost to this cruel and unrelenting epidemic. That story, we hope, will help raise awareness and connect people in need to resources that are available.”
The website pulls publicly available information such as trends over time and demographics to show how deaths from opioids have affected our community and who they’ve impacted. In Buncombe County, the majority of overdoses since 2010 have primarily occurred in white males between the ages of 20 and 39. The website, using a heat map, shows the occupations of those who have died: psychologist, electrician, chef, homemaker, and more.
Deputy Register of Deeds Miranda Stewart, who pulled this project together, shared more about the process: “Using data specific to Buncombe County helps us better understand where and how our community has been affected. Although state data is useful, it can take up to a year or longer to receive, making it difficult to understand if current policies and programs are helping in the community we have the privilege to serve.”
In addition to charting patterns and demographics, the website also provides connections to support. “One thing we want our community to be able to take away from this is that these were individuals whose lives mattered,” said Buncombe County Opioid Response Coordinator Amy Upham. “And, secondly, that help is available. Appalachian Mountain Community Health Centers, MAHEC, and Vaya Health all have resources to help if you or someone you love is wanting to enter treatment.”
The website also features the National Safety Council’s Memorial Site “Celebrating Lost Loved Ones.”
To visit the website exploring the opioid epidemic, go to buncombecounty.org/opioids. This Story Map application is best viewed on a larger screen with a modern web browser.
The City of Asheville launched Reimagining Public Safety this week to consider ways policing and response to public safety calls can be improved or handled differently to better promote racial equity and economic inclusion.
Vote AVL is a nonpartisan movement to increase voter turnout in the Asheville Area. The site features voter resources including registration info, a calendar of important dates, and information on candidates at the local, state and national levels. Businesses can take the pledge to provide information and resources to their employees, so that they can use their voice to make their vote count. Learn more at 
