Released byInteriorHealthtwo years ago, the mobile app has been hailed for its successful prevention of toxic drug deaths in British Columbia.
"The Lifeguard Digital Health app has a proven track record of keeping people safe and is an important part of the government's response to toxic and unpredictable illicit drug supplies," said Mental Health and Addiction Minister Sheila Malcolmson said in a press release. The state
states that the app has been used by more than 9,000 people in British Columbia since its launch in May 2020.
Read more: A new potentially life-saving app helps people who use drugs alone in British Columbia. increase.
There were 104,783 sessions, resulting in 132 ambulance calls with 96 "confirmed OK" callbacks to the app user. Twenty-eight drug addictions were reversed, and most importantly, there were no deaths reported by lifeguards.
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At Interior Health, 12,084 sessions including 14 ambulance calls (May 2020-2022) May) was there. In April 2022, there were 422 sessions within Interior Health.
When downloaded to a mobile device, the app will be activated by the user before they take their dose. After 50 seconds, the app will sound an alarm.
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The person using the app stops the alarm without pressing a button, indicating that there is no problem. If so, the alarm volume will be loud and if the individual does not respond, the app will trigger medical assistance with a call to the ambulance service.
Read more: 'Literally watching people die in front of you': Toxic drugs damage Okanagan Continuing
"I used it when I was using the Lifeguard app myself and when I was trying out new substances to get help if needed. Is a great app, "said one person with experience in drug use.
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According to the latest figures released by the BC Coroners Service, overdose in Penticton killed 11 people did. As of the end of April this year, 13 people have died in Vernon and Kelowna, about four times the population of Penticton and Vernon.
Okanagan as a whole accounted for 54 of the 117 overdose deaths in the Interior Health area from January to the end of April.
Across the state, 161 lives were lost in April to toxic illicit drugs. This is the second highest total ever recorded that month.
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