§ 23-50-02 — Powers and duties

1. The panel may:
a. Provide outcome data on drug-related fatalities in the state as a basis for policy,
intervention, and other program effectiveness.
b. Promote the identification of circumstances that may contribute to drug-related
fatalities.
c. Promote the identification of public health issues related to drug-related fatalities.
d. Promote training for individuals and agencies that share a responsibility in
responding to or preventing drug-related fatalities.
e. Promote interagency communication for the management of pharmaceutical and
nonpharmaceutical drug-related fatalities and for the management of future
nonfatal cases.
f. Promote evaluation of the impact of specific drug-related fatality risk factors,
including substance abuse, domestic violence, and behavioral or mental health
issues.
g. Promote the use of intervention and education programs to prevent drug-related
fatalities.
h. Provide data regarding use and potential expansion of drug-related rescue
programs and referral services.
2. The panel shall review the deaths of individuals which are identified as prescription
drug, illicit drug, or alcohol overdoses or which pertain to a trend or pattern of deaths
identified as drug or alcohol overdoses. The panel shall prioritize the reviews
conducted under this subsection. In conducting a review under this subsection, the
panel:
a. May utilize case-specific consultants on a case-by-case basis.
b. Shall identify factors that may have contributed to a preventable fatality, gaps in
the system, and community areas of need.
c. Shall make recommendations or observations to identify whether a fatality was
preventable, whether additional information is needed for a more complete
review, whether it is appropriate to make a referral to an agency requesting
services, and any systemic issues raised by the circumstances of the fatality.