A potentially life-saving app has been created by a group of Chilliwack teens, with the help of Fraser Health and B.C. Paramedics.

OD Hero, available now for Android devices only, can walk anyone through an overdose situation or alcohol poisoning, even if theyB次元官网网址檙e not in WiFi range. The app has been in development for more than a year, through a now-unfunded program called VOYCE Youth.

The impetus for the app came out of a local event where the discussion turned to resuscitation, and how sometimes youth will be faced with an overdose or over-drinking scenario away from cellphone or WiFi service. The groupB次元官网网址檚 facilitator at the time, Vincent Giesbrecht, knew this, because he had just been in that very situation.

B次元官网网址淚 told a story about a party I had gone to, about two weeks prior,B次元官网网址� he says, back in the winter of 2016. B次元官网网址淭his boy had asthma, he drank vodka and had an asthma attack. It was not good, he was not responding.B次元官网网址�

Things continued to go wrong.

B次元官网网址淭he most alarming thing about it was his friends didnB次元官网网址檛 know what to do,B次元官网网址� Giesbrecht recalls. B次元官网网址淭here was a crowd of about 20 totally smothering him. They were slapping him awake, arguing about whether they should put him on back, or his side. They even tried to stand him up.B次元官网网址�

The reasons things got so out of hand are common, he said. Nobody wants to be the one to call 911; nobody wants to be the one to be in trouble.

B次元官网网址淣obody wanted to take him to the hospital,B次元官网网址� he said. It wasnB次元官网网址檛 until the DJ at the party stopped the music that they got the teen the help he needed.

But hereB次元官网网址檚 the thing that a lot of teenagers and drug users alike donB次元官网网址檛 know. They wonB次元官网网址檛 get in trouble. And the OD Hero tells the app user exactly what to expect in these types of scenarios. There is a , providing protection for those who call 911 and administer first aid to someone overdosing.

The app explains, for example, that if you are using with someone and they overdose, neither of you will be charged for possession.

That call can mean the difference between life and death. But the app also helps improve the situation for people who are offline B次元官网网址� something that can often happen in the summer with bush parties, or with teens who may not have roaming data.

OD Hero uses clear, concise images, descriptions and instructions for overdose first aid basics, like how to place someone in recovery position. And itB次元官网网址檚 information that is going to be useful to more than just heavy partiers or drug users.

B次元官网网址淎t first when we started to develop the app, people would say to us, B次元官网网址榳ell weB次元官网网址檙e not drug users, we donB次元官网网址檛 need this,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Giesbrecht says. But in the wake of the current opioid crisis, they firmly believe that being able to help in an overdose situation is everyoneB次元官网网址檚 concern.

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B次元官网网址淓ven if youB次元官网网址檙e not part of the party scene it can useful,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淓ven just walking by someone on the sidewalk, you can now have the resource to use at any time. We wanted to make it easy.B次元官网网址�

While VOYCE Youth was once a funded program, that funding ran out last year in the middle of development. The group decided to push ahead with the app because, they argued, it was that important.

Maggie Aronoff (in Mission) was the Local Action Team Coordinator from the Chilliwack Division of Family Practice (working under the Child & Youth Mental Health & Substance Use Collaborative B次元官网网址� temporary funding) who finished the project with the youth, published the app and helped the youth promote.

B次元官网网址淭his is something they came up with,B次元官网网址� she says of the youth involved. B次元官网网址淚t didnB次元官网网址檛 cost much of anything, because we had adults helping and youth driving the project. Adam Shelley did all of the program. He donated, I donB次元官网网址檛 know many hours.B次元官网网址�

Cherie Martens (in Maple Ridge) was the Youth Adult Partnership Coordinator who initially helped the youth and sought out all the expert opinions from Fraser Health, College of Paramedics, RCMP, and others, and recruited a volunteer programmer. Haley Hodgkinson and Aaron Cusson joined on as Youth Coordinators after Giesbrecht graduated. Other key youth involved in the project include Eric MacAulay and Marina Heath.

The app finally launched on April 23 on Google Play. That cost about $125, and it would cost about that to have the app added to iTunes, to be compatible with iPhones.

B次元官网网址淎t this point, the group has no budget,B次元官网网址� Aronoff says. They are working on finding another sponsor for the app, and the group continues to meet, although their meetings are virtual now instead of in person. They are continuing to work on events and causes that are important to them, including an upcoming alternative prom celebration that will be open to more people than the strict rules in place through the Chilliwack school district.

TheyB次元官网网址檙e also working on getting the word out about the app, without having funding for advertising or a connected organization to do that for them. The Chilliwack Division of Family Practice has promoted the app on social media, and the group members are sharing the info through word of mouth.

To download the OD Hero app through Google Play, search for . To contact Aronoff, email ChilliwackVOYCE@gmail.com.

jpeters@theprogress.com
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