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How is Google Maps helping combat the opioid epidemic?

Answer: With a drug drop-off location search feature.

According to Google, last month people searched on its platform for “medication disposal near me” more than they ever have before. So Google Maps has partnered with authorities in seven states, as well as numerous businesses and organizations such as Walgreens and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (EDA), to make it easier for people to find places where they can dispose of their unwanted drugs.

Users can now search for things like “drug disposal near me” on the platform and it will pull up nearby results from more than 3,500 nationwide locations. Currently a pilot program, the new feature can bring up locations such as pharmacies, hospitals and government buildings and display their hours and other information. The pilot is live as of Thursday in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

 

 

Kate is a senior copy editor in Northern California. She holds a bachelor's degree in English with a minor in professional writing from the University of California, Davis.