What is the Arkansas Violent Death Reporting System?

Violent death is a major public health issue in Arkansas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) defines violent death as a death that “results from the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or a group or community.” The Arkansas Violent Death Reporting System (ARVDRS) collects and links key details of violent deaths- the “who, when, where, and how” – and delivers insights into “why” these deaths transpired.

Arkansas received grant funding from the CDC in 2018 to create the ARVDRS. ARVDRS pulls data from law enforcement reports, death certificates, and coroner/medical examiner reports (including toxicology) and logs this data into a de-identified database. These sources individually provide data that explain violence in a fragmented, narrow context, but when linked together, a more comprehensive picture of violent death is created. The purpose of utilizing the ARVDRS is to implement a plan to collect and disseminate accurate, timely, and comprehensive surveillance data on all violent deaths occurring within the state to better guide prevention efforts.

ARVDRS includes deaths that result from:

• Homicides
• Suicides
• Deaths of undetermined intent
• Unintentional firearm injury deaths
• Deaths due to legal intervention

Resources:

• National Violent Death Reporting System
• NVDRS and Law Enforcement
• NVDRS and Coroner/Medical Examiner Partners
• NVDRS and Vital Statistics Registrars
• Veto Violence

SUDORS (State Unintentional Death Reporting System)

The State Unintentional Drug Overdose Surveillance (SUDORS) is a supplemental program to the NVDRS which is funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Overdose Data to Action grant. SUDORS collects detailed information on all fatal overdose deaths in Arkansas.

SUDORS increases the timeliness and comprehensiveness of reporting fatal drug overdoses by capturing information from death certificates, coroner and medical examiner reports, and toxicology reports. These sources include details such as route of administration and risk factors that may be associated with a fatal overdose.  The data collected can be analyzed to provide stakeholders with information on overdose prevention response efforts.

Other Resources:

• SAMHSA’s National Helpline: A free, confidential, 24-hour-a-day, 365-a-year, referral helpline. This service provides referrals to local-level treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889.
• Start Your Recovery: A free treatment support service locator for anyone dealing with substance use issues that is user-friendly and in a language that’s easy to understand.
• Department of Human Services: Grant-funded treatment facilities in each region of the state.
• NARCANsas app: Available for download on Android and iOS.
• CDC Opioid Overdose Information

Contact Information

Substance Misuse & Injury Prevention
4815 West Markham Street, Slot 10
Little Rock, AR  72205
Phone: 501-671-1449
Fax: 501-682-0427
ADH.injuryprevention@arkansas.gov