Overdose phone app
Harm reduction has always been a relatively simple option. Relying on things like the supply of sterile injecting equipment, face to face delivery of life saving advice and other practical steps to try to help people stay safe and alive. We have of course along the way had innovations but these have generally been around focused on the equipment given to injectors. But because of technology becoming so easily accessible for people we are now starting to move into new areas of innovation.
This included discussion about some of the work Avil are planning in this area. A spin off from this was also Russel Webster talking on his blog about the need for an overdose specific app.
Meanwhile
At the same time these discussions where happening online over in Ireland a very passionate couple of harm reduction workers I know Chris Rintoul and Iain 'Buff' Cameron where working on just that idea. This wasn't just an app that had some images of the recovery position and an instruction to ring an ambulance. Instaed it would talk you though what to do step by step, it also .... hold on a sec, it's probably better to have this in Chris's own words:
Therefore our app is the first-ever to include a highly interactive 'Emergency' section guiding the user through the specific actions they need to take, depending on the state of the casualty and whether there is an opiate reversal drug called naloxone available. This section gives clear audible advice, written instructions and drawings and has large 'press-button' options. This allows the user to navigate the appropriate pathway for the situation they have encountered. It can also link the user directly to the emergency services.
Well as you can probably tell from the extract above (taken from thier press release) the app has now been released. For the moment it's only available on Android, but there is an iPhone/iPad version coming very soon.
How much
This app was made without any initial financial support using Chris and Buffs own money. Because of this they are (for now) having to charge a nominal fee for the app (£1.99) and this has caused some people to complain saying 'harm reduction should be free' most notably the Southern Regional Drugs Task Force http://www.srdtf.ie/ (also based in Ireland) have sent the following messages on Twitter:
Of course in principal I totally agree, after all I give all the resources I've developed for this site away for free. I know Chris and Buff also agree. This is why they have been seeking sponsorship to cover their own financial (but not time) costs so they can give the app away to everyone and start working on developing both an international version and a stimulant version.
Help them out
So if you can either personally help them make this free, or you work for an organisation that really cares about saving the lives of opiate users then join the wonderful groups who have already donated money/resources. (These include: HIT, Harm Reduction International, and Martindale Pharma) I look forward to hearing from Chris and Buff when they receive more donations. You can email the guys when you want to help.
You can find the app itself via the original press release.
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