With the United States in the midst of an opioid epidemic, community members are often the first responders during an overdose and can help an overdose victim while emergency services from 911 are on the way. People who download UnityPhilly can send an emergency signal if they experience or witness an overdose. Also, everyone with UnityPhilly can respond to an emergency signal and bring naloxone to an overdose event. Sending an emergency overdose alert will automatically send a call to 911 to dispatch an ambulance to the scene.
Pennsylvania’s Act 139 (the “Good Samaritan Law”) allows any citizen in the state to receive and carry naloxone (Narcan®), a medication that temporarily blocks the effects of opioids and stops an overdose. The law protects Good Samaritans who respond to overdoses. The UnityPhilly app helps people who carry naloxone respond to an overdose emergency.
UnityPhilly is being tested in Philadelphia as part of a study funded by the National Institutes on Drug Abuse.
For further information go to www.UnityPhilly.org
Related publications include:
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Khalemsky, M., Khalemsky, A., Lankenau, S., Atiants, J., Roth, A., Marcu, G. & Schwartz D.G., Predictive dispatch of volunteer first-responders: Algorithm development and validation, JMIR mHealth uHealth, 2023; 11:e41551, http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/41551.
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Roth AM, Tran NK, Cocchiaro B, Mitchell AK, Schwartz DG, Hensel DJ, Ataiants J, Brenner J, Yahav I, Lankenau SE. Wearable biosensors have the potential to monitor physiological changes associated with opioid overdose among people who use drugs: A proof-of-concept study in a real-world setting. Drug and Alcohol Dependence; 229, 109138, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109138
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Ataiants, J., Reed, M., Schwartz D.G., Roth, A., Marcu, G., Lankenau, S.E., Decision-making by laypersons equipped with an emergency response smartphone app for opioid overdose, International Journal of Drug Policy, 95, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103250
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Marcu, G., Schwartz, D.G., Ataiants, J., Roth, A., Yahav, I., Cocchiaro, B., Khalemsky, M., & Lankenau, S., Empowering Communities With a Smartphone-Based Response Network for Opioid Overdoses. IEEE Pervasive Computing / IEEE Computer Society, 19(4), 42–47, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1109/MPRV.2020.3019947
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Schwartz, D.G., Ataiants, J., Roth, A., Marcu, G., Yahav, I., Cocchiaro, B., Khalemsky, M., & Lankenau, S. Layperson reversal of opioid overdose supported by smartphone alert: A prospective observational cohort study, Lancet EClinicalMedicine, 25, August 2020, p.100474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100474
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Marcu, G., Aizen, R., Roth, A., Lankenau, S., and Schwartz, D.G. Acceptability of smartphone applications for facilitating layperson naloxone administration during opioid overdose, JAMIA Open, 3(1), pp. 44-52 April 2020. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamiaopen/ooz068