Given existing gaps in our understanding of the full scope of the opioid crisis, this challenge is aimed at identifying new data sets, sources and methodologies that will enable quantification of suspected opioid overdoses that fall into any or all of the following categories:

• Category 1: Suspected non-fatal opioid overdoses where community supports were utilized (i.e. emergency or medical services were not involved)
• Category 2: Suspected non-fatal opioid overdoses where emergency or medical services were involved
• Category 3: Suspected fatal opioid overdoses

Additionally, innovators will also be expected to provide further information about the context of each suspected opioid overdose, including at a minimum the date and location. For additional detail on the suspected overdose categories and associated defining factors, refer to the online submission form and associated documents in the Resources tab.  

Challenge Structure

This challenge is divided into two phases: Phase 1 – Propose and Develop: Participants will identify and propose data sources and methodologies to measure opioid overdoses occurring in a Canadian community of their choice. In addition to providing the total number of non-fatal and/or fatal overdoses, innovators will provide data on specific factors of an overdose (such as location and date). Submissions will be evaluated by an external panel of expert judges. Up to five $10,000 awards will be given to each challenge finalist for use in the continued development of their concept during Phase 2.   Phase 2 – Extension: Finalists will apply the data sources and/or methodology used in the previous phase to a different community in Canada to demonstrate wide-range applicability. A set of selection criteria will be provided to help guide innovators when choosing their second community. Submissions will be evaluated by an external panel of expert judges. Up to two $50,000 awards will be available for each challenge winner. The winners will also have the opportunity to scale and integrate their concepts into existing public health surveillance systems.  

Submission Format

Phase 1 - Propose and Develop - Submit your concept by completing:

1. The online submission form
2. Two separate attachments, as indicated in the online submission form:
   • Overdose Results Table
   • Data Sources Document

Phase 2 - Extension - The format of Phase 2 submissions will be dependent upon the nature of the selected Phase 1 concepts but will follow a structure similar to that used in Phase 1.  

Challenge Rules

Who can participate: You may only enter the Challenge if at the time of entry, you meet all of the below requirements:

1. You are a legal resident of Canada
2. You are at least 18 years old or the age of majority in the province or territory where you reside
3. You are not an employee of MaRS, or the Public Health Agency of Canada, or Statistics Canada, and you are not the immediate family member of any such employee

MaRS may at any time in its sole discretion disqualify any entrant who: does not meet the Challenge’s eligibility criteria, fails to comply with these rules, attempts to enter the Challenge in any manner or through any means other than as described in these rules, attempts to disrupt the Challenge or attempts to circumvent any of these rules.   Registration and Submissions: All innovators and teams must be registered and complete the Challenge-Specific Agreement prior to submitting an entry. Submissions must be received on or before January 23rd, 2019 at 11:59 pm EDT. No late nor any incomplete submissions will be accepted. Submissions can be made in English or French. Submissions must be made online via the online submission form on the HeroX.com website. All prize-related communication will be in English and French.  

Disclaimers

The Challenge Rules are subject to change. Registered competitors will receive notification when changes are made, however, we highly encourage you to visit the Challenge site often to review updates. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada or Statistics Canada.