SPRINGFIELD – First responders will be able to more effectively reach and treat overdose patients under new legislation sponsored by State Senator Bill Cunningham signed into law by the governor.

Senate Bill 1258 allows require emergency medical technicians in Chicago to report treatment of an individual experiencing a suspected or actual opioid overdose to the city for use in the Overdose Detection Mapping Application (ODMAP), developed by the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).

“People are dying every day from overdoses and we need new tools to help combat this crisis,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs.

The ODMAP provides real-time overdose data throughout an area to mobilize an immediate response to an overdose spike. Each suspected overdose is plotted to a map that allows local officials to identify trends and develop strategies to more effectively respond to overdoses.

“This technology will be incredibly effective in improving overdose response time and fostering the development of new approaches that authorities use to fight the opioid crisis,” Cunningham said. “I feel confident that after we implement this program, we’ll see a lot more lives saved and a lot more people seeking help for their addiction.”

Senate Bill 1258 will take effect immediately.