The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is responding to the growing epidemic of drug overdose deaths with a new mobile- and web-based app called Revive.
The app provides resources and lifesaving guidance in both English and Spanish to people who use illicit substances, their loved ones, health service providers and other people in the Springfield community who might encounter someone experiencing an overdose.
“The goal of Revive is to prevent a drug overdose from becoming an overdose death,” a Health Department press release said. “The 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment showed that drug use and the rate of overdose deaths in our community is significant. In fact, the drug overdose mortality rate is more than 25% higher in Greene, Christian and Webster counties than in the rest of the United States.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioids were involved in nearly 75% of drug overdose deaths in 2020 and a majority of those involved a synthetic opioid, primarily fentanyl,” the release promoting Revive reads. “Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than drugs like morphine. It is highly addictive and just a very small amount can cause overdose and death.”
App provides step-by-step guidance
Overdoses from opioids, including fentanyl, can be reversed with the medication naloxone. Revive allows people to find naloxone to carry with them and guides them through its proper use. The app provides written, verbal and visual step-by-step guidance to those responding to a drug overdose.
“It asks a few questions to provide the best information, then walks the user through how to administer naloxone, conduct CPR and position the person so they can remain safe until emergency services arrives,” the press release reads. “Revive also assures the person responding that, under Missouri’s Good Samaritan Law, they will not be arrested for minor offenses including drug possession if they call 911 to help someone who is experiencing a medical emergency.”
Revive also provides information on recognizing the signs of an overdose, maps or community resources like drug disposal sites and treatment services, and information for those who have experienced a drug overdose. The Health Department plans to add additional features in the coming months.
Revive can be downloaded for free
The content for Revive was developed with input from several community partners, including the Southwest Missouri Drug Poisoning Coalition and Community Partnership of the Ozarks. CPO has also provided additional funding to help reach at-risk communities with the Revive app.
Revive can be accessed and downloaded for free by going to the Revive 417 website, or through the Apple and Google Play stores on your mobile device.
