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Provincial alert system app aims to prevent overdoses

The Digital Overdose Response System (DORS) mobile app, made available province-wide starting this week, will help prevent fatal overdoses for people using opioids and other substances at home, says Mike Ellis, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addiction.
Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Mike Ellis
Mike Ellis, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, announced June 8 that an app aiming at preventing overdose deaths will be available across the Province.

The Digital Overdose Response System (DORS) mobile app has been made available province-wide starting this week and aims to help prevent fatal overdoses for people using opioids and other substances at home, says Mike Ellis, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addiction.

DORS is a confidential and anonymous program that dispatches emergency medical services if a user become unresponsive.

Individuals using the app receive a call from the STARS emergency centre if they fail to response to a timer, and if an overdose is suspected, STARS dispatches an ambulance to the person’s location, he said.

“The reality of addiction is it drives people into isolation and when using opioids this can be extremely dangerous,” Ellis said during a press conference on Wednesday. “DORS is the first tool in Alberta to specifically be designed to help people who might be using drugs at home alone.

“We need to continue doing everything possible that we can to stop people dying from addiction and ultimately pursuing a life in recovery.”

Made available on a trial basis in Calgary starting a year ago, DORS app has already seen more than 900 downloads and 440 registered users, he said. 

Effective this week it is available for use province-wide, including in smaller communities, he said.

The DORS app is free and can be downloaded to any smartphone from the Google Play or Apple app store. More information can be found at dorsapp.ca.

Mike Lamacchia is the chief operating officer with STARS Air Ambulance.

“Regardless of the time of day or night, we’ll be on the other end of the phone if Albertans need us while using this app,” Lamacchia said during Wednesday’s press conference.

“Like STARS, the DORS program was designed to help save lives and that’s exactly what our people do every day. We are honoured to be the emergency response partner providing virtual care support for this program around the clock so that emergency services can play a key role in keeping Albertans alive.”

Darren Sandbeck is the senior provincial director and chief paramedic, Alberta Health Service, Emergency Medical Services.

“We in EMS see the impacts of the opioid crisis everyday and we support this app as another means of supporting individuals who use opioids,” Sandbeck said at the press conference. “Please, if you are going to use, download the app.”

The new app includes privacy protection, with a person’s telephone number and location being the only information used by responders, and STARS will only initiate contact if a medical emergency is suspected, said Ellis.

Lori Sigurdson is the NDP critic for mental health and addictions.

“The DORS app is a useful tool, but does not do nearly enough to address the horrifying death toll due to drug poisoning in Alberta,” Sigurdson said in a release. 

“The UCP government is refusing to act on clear medical evidence and practices supported by experts. There are proven healthcare interventions that save lives, but the UCP have reduced access to them.”

The province will be conducting an advertising campaign regarding DORS in coming months.

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