Do you know what to do if you find someone suffering from an overdose, accidental or not? There's no shame if you realize the answer is no, because you're not alone. And that's why this new app might help you save a life.

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Don Bayley
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Substance abuse has grown more and more each year in the US. According to the National Institutde of Health, "Drug overdose deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential rose from 547 in 1999 to 23,837 in 2020 and continued to increase to 32,537 in 2021".

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Adam Smigielski/ThinkStock
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Because of this, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has launched a brand new app that aims to help identify and treat opioid overdoses throughout Michigan and hopefully save lives.

What is the new app being released by MDHHS?

The app intended to help with diagnosing overdoses is called OpiRescue.

OpiRescue App
OpiRescue App
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OpiRescue can be downloaded on Android and iOS smartphones, and it includes ways you can identify and reversing overdoses. It also includes a Naxolene finder to locate the overdose reversal medication nearby, a locator for treatment, and information on how to report when you’ve reversed an overdose.

The information provided by this app will be vital to helping save lives, because overdose reversal information will then be sent to a dashboard that is viewable to MDHHS partners like Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans and Syringe Service programs. After that, they will be able to send additional resources to areas with increased reports of overdose reversals in hopes to eventually reverse the rising trend of overdoses we're seeing in Michigan.

OpiRescue App
OpiRescue App
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While you may think that you don't need this app, you never know where you may come across someone you know (or don't) who may need this help. Minutes can save lives in this scenario, so having it ready on your phone even if you don't think you'd need it, could make you a hero.

While a morbid app to exist, this is great news to help those who need it the most. And if you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, resources exist to help. SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889

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