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The City of Bloomington recently drew criticism for publishing a map with exact locations and addresses for overdose deaths throughout Monroe County.

The information is public record, but critics say it's unethical to publicize the personal information of overdose victims.

Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton's office initially defended the map, but eventually decided to have it removed. But as employees took down the old information, they inadvertently published a document with names and other identifying information for each overdose.

This show aired live on our Facebook.

Guests:

Chris Abert, Director of the Indiana Recovery Alliance

Beverly Calender-Anderson, Director of Community and Family Resources Department

Christy Thrasher, Certified Harm Reduction specialist, Naloxone Trainer, Coordinator of the CARES Harm Reduction Clinic at the Jackson County Health Department, and relative of overdose victim

Conversation on Overdose Death Data

Chris Abert says that he assumes that there was no malice on the part of the city, but he's frustrated and saddened by the city's decision making.

"Any person who has experienced losing a loved one, with the shame, stigma, and trauma attached to it, would most certainly not have vetted this information being made public," he says.

Beverly Calender-Anderson says that they put the data up with good intentions.

"As way to give people who are trying to help the situation the information that they need," she says.

But Calender-Anderson says that the Mayor has apologized for the release of data and any harm or stigma it might have caused. She says the City of Bloomington will work with stakeholders in the future.

Christy Thrasher says the city needs to redefine who they consider a stakeholder.

Thrasher says it was disrespectful to publish the information.

"I don't think someone else can make a decision to come out, because it is like coming out of the closet," says Thrasher.

She says that continued dialogue about these issues is crucial to dealing with them and minimizing stigma surrounding drug addiction.