Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the information collection request titled, “Drug Overdose Response Investigation (DORI) Data Collections” to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. CDC previously published a “Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations” notice on August 13,2020 to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. CDC did not receive comments related to the previous notice. This notice serves to allow an additional 30 days for public and affected agency comments.

CDC will accept all comments for this proposed information collection project. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in comments that:

(a) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

(d) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including, through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses; and

(e) Assess information collection costs.

To request additional information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call (404) 639-7570. Comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function. Direct written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Provide written comments within 30 days of notice publication.

Proposed Project

Drug Overdose Response Investigation (DORI) Data Collections (OMB Control No. 0920-1054, Exp. 03/31/2021)—Extension—National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

In 2015, CDC received OMB approval (OMB Control No. 0920-1054) for this Generic clearance for a three-year period to collect information to response to urgent requests from state and local health authorities to provide epidemiological information that allows for the selection of interventions to curb local epidemics of drug overdose. CDC seeks OMB approval for an Extension of this Generic clearance for a three-year period.

Drug Overdose Response Investigations (DORI) are to be conducted in response to urgent requests from state and local health authorities to provide epidemiological information that allows for the selection of interventions to curb local epidemics of drug overdose. Of particular interest is response to increasing trends in, or changing characteristics of, overdose from prescription drugs (with a special interest in opioid analgesics such as oxycodone or methadone; benzodiazepines such as alprazolam) and/or illicit drugs (e.g., heroin). CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) is frequently called upon to conduct DORIs at the request of state or local health authorities seeking support to respond to urgent public health problems resulting from drug use, misuse, addiction, and overdose. Such requests are typically, but not always, made through the Epi-Aid mechanism; in most investigations, CDC's epidemiological response entails rapid and flexible collection of data that evolves during the investigation period.

Generic clearance is requested to ensure that timely information is collected during a DORI, which allows NCIPC to maintain critical mission function by working with state and local health authorities to protect the public's health. During an unanticipated rise in nonfatal or fatal drug overdose where the substances responsible for the health event need to be identified, drivers and risk factors are undetermined, and/or subgroups at risk need to be identified, immediate action by CDC is necessary to minimize or prevent public harm. CDC must have the ability to rapidly deploy data collection tools to understand the scope of the problem and determine appropriate action. Procedures for each investigation, including specific data collection plans, depend on the time and resources available, number of persons involved, and other circumstances unique to the urgent conditions at hand. Data are collected by epidemiologists, psychologists, medical professionals, subject matter experts, and biostatisticians.

Data collected during a DORI are used to understand sudden increases in drug use and misuse associated with fatal and nonfatal overdoses, understand the drivers and risk factors associated with those trends, and identify the groups most affected. This allows CDC to effectively advise states on actions that could be taken to control the local epidemic. During a DORI, data are collected once, with the rare need for follow-up. The estimated annual burden hours are 2000, there are no costs to respondents other than their time.