Carolyn Smith

Carolyn Smith is a Data Analyst for the Texas Overdose Data to Action (TODA) Program at the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). She supports TODA’s efforts to prevent drug poisonings and related harms by abstracting and reporting data on fatal overdoses. TODA uses the data to evaluate harm reduction efforts, examine gaps in linkage to care, and understand the scope of determinants for drug poisonings in Texas. Carolyn’s interest is in linkage to trauma-informed care among individuals with substance use disorders and adverse childhood experiences. Based on her recent data reporting, her organization is working with communities to implement overdose fatality reviews to understand the circumstances and sequence of events in fatal overdoses and to inform future efforts in linkage to care.

DSHS is a statewide government agency that works to promote and protect the health of Texans and the communities where they live, learn, work, and play. DSHS partners with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to implement the TODA Program in response to the drug poisoning epidemic. TODA’s goals are to gather morbidity and mortality data on drug poisonings, analyze the data, and inform prevention programming and the public about the nature of drug poisoning in Texas. TODA supports state and local organizations in their efforts to fight against drug poisonings and implement data-informed care.