Tennessee is taking a bold, technology-powered approach to addressing the opioid epidemic—one of the state’s most urgent public health crises. At the center of this effort is the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council, chaired by Dr. Stephen Loyd, who also serves as Chief Medical Officer for Cedar Recovery.
With more than $1.2 billion in opioid settlement funds at stake, the Council has partnered with Microsoft Azure and SAS to develop a first-of-its-kind data platform. This system brings together vast datasets from across the state—emergency departments, jails, and hospitals—to identify where overdoses are happening and anticipate where they are likely to occur next. It allows the Council to track the effectiveness of funded programs and prioritize interventions in areas with the greatest need.
This data-driven strategy not only helps allocate funding with precision but also provides a deeper understanding of how and where addiction is impacting Tennessee communities.
“Before this platform, it was like trying to solve the problem in the dark,” Dr. Loyd said. “Now we can actually see where people are dying and where they’re getting help.”
At Cedar Recovery, we’re proud to support Dr. Loyd in his leadership role with the Abatement Council and this groundbreaking initiative. The insights gained from this technology will be crucial in supporting long-term recovery and saving lives across the state.
To learn more, read the full Microsoft case study here: https://www.microsoft.com/en/customers/story/23347-tennessee-opioid-abatement-council-azure
