Seized Drug Dashboard

Description

The Virginia Department of Forensic Science (DFS) Seized Drug Dashboard provides public access to data on substances analyzed by DFS laboratories across Virginia. The dashboard compiles information from forensic casework involving seized drugs that are submitted to DFS by law enforcement agencies. It displays data on the types of drugs identified, their frequency, geographic distribution, and trends over time. The dashboard complements the annual DFS Drug Report and offers a visual, interactive way to explore drug trends identified through forensic testing.

How the Community can use the Data

The Seized Drug Dashboard helps community members, public safety officials, policymakers, and researchers understand drug supply patterns across Virginia. By examining laboratory-confirmed drug data, users can identify emerging substances, shifts in drug combinations, and regional differences in drug activity. These insights can support law enforcement, prevention, and public health efforts by providing timely information about the types of drugs present in communities. The dashboard can also inform policy discussions, guide harm reduction strategies, and enhance awareness of trends in the illegal drug market.

Data Limitations

The data in the Seized Drug Dashboard represent only substances that have been seized by law enforcement and analyzed by the Department of Forensic Science. They do not reflect all drug use or availability in Virginia. The data are dependent on law enforcement activity, laboratory submissions, and testing capacity, which may vary across jurisdictions and over time. Some substances may be underreported due to changes in testing priorities or analytical methods.