A free mobile app that promotes medication with the potential to prevent drug-deaths was launched today in Aberdeen ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day on Saturday (31st August).
The Aberdeen Protects app was developed by Aberdeen City Council under its memorandum of understanding with Microsoft. The design process was led by Alcohol and Drugs Action (ADA) (including service users with Lived Experience), NHS Grampian, and the Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership through Microsoft partner ClusterReply.
Naloxone is a life-saving drug which can buy time for an ambulance to arrive by temporarily reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. It can be given by anyone to save a life.
The naloxone programme has enjoyed cross-party support at Aberdeen City Council.
A joint statement from Councillors Ian Yuill, Christian Allard, Tauqeer Malik and Richard Brooks, said: “The Council has worked closely with partners to make naloxone available in the city. This is saving lives and sparing families untold suffering.
“The City Council was proud to help develop the mobile app, which will strengthen the support on offer by promoting access to naloxone and information about how to stay safe.”
Fraser Hoggan, ADA chief executive, said: "At ADA we look forward to the launch of the Aberdeen Protects App. This app will help in the engagement and support of family members, wider professionals and individuals at risk of overdose, and puts in place both vital information as well as access to life-saving naloxone and vital support. We will be on-hand for members of our communities who may wish to get in touch regarding their questions and support required for this exciting new initiative."
The app is free to download via the App store and Google Play and highlights the nearest supply alongside a video embedded showing how to administer naloxone. It also uses “push notifications” to alert people of dangerous substances in circulation and carries messages of support and advice.
Susan Webb, Director of Public Health for NHS Grampian, added: "We recognise the importance of intervening early to prevent an unnecessary death in addition to preventing people from developing problem drug use. By services and communities working together and using fantastic new tools like this app we can reduce harm associated with drug use for people at the highest risk of harm, overdose and death. It’s not only opioids which can cause overdose, and the app will also help to raise awareness of the support services ADA offers 7-days-a-week for those using illicit and other substances, including alcohol.”
Alcohol and Drug Partnership lead, Simon Rayner said: “This app will make it much easier for people to find out where to access naloxone and get the support they need. It's also important for us all know to the signs and symptoms of overdose so we know how to respond if faced with an emergency.
“As with all new developments, we already have some ideas about how to improve the app going forward, but felt it was important to get this first version out for people to use.”
Between 2018 and 2023, 313 people died from drug-related harm in Aberdeen City. For the last two years, a multi-disciplinary naloxone steering group has been working in the city to reduce drug-related harm.
Marischal College will be lit up purple this Friday and Saturday evening for International Overdose Awareness Day to remember those whose lives have been lost.
A series of events to find out more about the new app and naloxone will be taking place on Friday 30th August. To find out more, visit the NHS Grampian website.