23-50-02. Powers and duties

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.