An App Designed to Curb Drug Overdose Deaths Has Saved 15 Lives

published on March 18, 2021 by Moira Wyton in The Tyee

At least 15 additional lives have been saved from toxic drug deaths in B.C. over the last 10 months thanks to a “virtual buddy” the province rolled out last May for people using substances.

Paramedics and firefighters have, so far, responded to 62 calls for help through the Lifeguard app, which automatically calls an ambulance for people using substances if they become unresponsive to digital prompts.

Responders have reversed 16 overdoses across all health authorities. The 46 other calls were either accidental, or the person came to before emergency services arrived.

Everyone who used the app to call for help survived, said Neil Lilley, a senior provincial executive director at BC Emergency Health Services…