BURLINGTON — The City Council approved the creation of a new position to manage the collection and analysis of data related to the city’s opioid crisis at its Monday meeting.
The Opiate Policy Operations Manager is the brainchild of Burlington Police Chief Brandon del Pozo, who wants to take a data driven approach to curbing drug use. Del Pozo says not enough is known about whether efforts to help addicts get sober are effective.
Currently, the only metrics the city has for measuring the depth of the crisis are the number of overdoses and the waiting list at the Chittenden Clinic in South Burlington, which is the longest of anywhere in the state.
Del Pozo said he would like to track data points such as the median age of first use or the time between first use and when someone seeks treatment. The new policy manager will work with state agencies, nonprofits and city departments on measurements and analysis of what interventions are working, del Pozo said.
Mayor Miro Weinberger said the position is an outgrowth of a collaboration among stakeholders to reduce the wait list for treatment, and it’s being heavily coordinated with the state Health Department.
Ultimately though, del Pozo said the new position will be an acknowledgement that “this is problem that needs to be addressed at the city level with local leadership.”
City Councilor Selene Colburn, P-East District, said she sees great potential for bringing a “birdseye view” to identifying gaps in services or where people may be falling through the cracks. She said she hopes the city won’t hesitate to use its data to hold itself and other stakeholders accountable when shortcomings are identified.
Burlington is partnering with the United Way to form the Chittenden County Opiate Alliance to implement the new initiative. The United Way is already looking to hire a data analyst that will work directly with the city policy manager if the new position is approved by the full council.
The limited service position will cost $65,000 annually for salary and benefits. Del Pozo hopes to hire the policy manager as soon as possible. The city may use up to $7,000 if necessary to pay for the position in May and June.
Del Pozo said the police department applied for a Department of Justice grant that could pay for the position going forward, as well as an additional data analyst that would be housed within the city.
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