Overdose Detection Technologies

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Between May 2020 and April 2021, U.S. drug overdose deaths reached record high levels, claiming over 100,000 lives, which was a 28.5% increase from the prior 12 months (from 78,056 deaths).  Research suggests that about half of people who die from overdose are found alone.  When someone uses alone, no one is around to take lifesaving measures including administering naloxone, administering rescue breaths, doing CPR, and calling for EMS.  

Overdose detection technologies bridge this gap by identifying when someone becomes unconscious or needs assistance and sending help.  We aim to evaluate the impact of interventions that incorporate overdose detection technologies in a variety of settings.

Once funded, the goals of our research will be to:

• Use data collected by the Rhode Island Department of Health to identify high overdose locations in each target municipality
• Talk to business owners, service providers, and residents in the identified areas to learn about their thoughts and concerns related to several overdose detection technologies 
• Use the feedback to inform the development, implementation and evaluation of an intervention for Rhode Island