BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The city of Bloomington was trying to call attention to the drug problem in their community by publishing a list of overdose victims – but people living in the city say their effort went too far.
City officials say the names and personal information of more than 2,000 people who died from overdoses in Monroe County were published on their website after a recommendation from the city’s safety, civility and justice task force.
The youngest overdose victim on their list was just 13 years old.
But what was meant to be a tool for the public, was met with backlash from community members who say they put family members at risk by making the information available to the public.
City officials say publishing the data was meant to serve as a tool, to quantify the drug problem in the community.
“We understand that there is a difference and it’s not a legal issue perhaps, but it might be a moral one,” said Yael Ksander, Communications Director for the City of Bloomington.
The city has since taken those names down, but the website still shows:
- Victim’s Age
- Date of Death
- What Drug Led to Overdose
- Nature of Death
- Victim’s Race
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