Overdose Detection Technologies to Reduce Solitary Overdose Deaths: A Literature Review

Alexa Rose Lombardi, Ritikraj Arya, Joseph G. Rosen, Erin Thompson, Ralph Welwean, Jessica Tardif, Josiah D. Rich and Ju Nyeong Park ()
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Alexa Rose Lombardi: Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
Ritikraj Arya: Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
Joseph G. Rosen: Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
Erin Thompson: Harm Reduction Innovation Lab, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI 02903, USA
Ralph Welwean: School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
Jessica Tardif: Harm Reduction Innovation Lab, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI 02903, USA
Josiah D. Rich: School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
Ju Nyeong Park: Harm Reduction Innovation Lab, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI 02903, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-12

Abstract: Drug overdoses were a leading cause of injury and death in the United States in 2021. Solitary drug use and solitary overdose deaths have remained persistent challenges warranting additional attention throughout the overdose epidemic. The goal of this narrative review is to describe recent global innovations in overdose detection technologies (ODT) enabling rapid responses to overdose events, especially for people who use drugs alone. We found that only a small number of technologies designed to assist in overdose detection and response are currently commercially available, though several are in the early stages of development. Research, development, and scale-up of practical, cost-effective ODTs remains a public health imperative. Equipping places where people live, learn, work, worship, and play with the necessary tools to detect and prevent overdose deaths could complement ongoing overdose prevention efforts.

Keywords: fatal overdose; room-based devices; mobile applications; wearable electronic devices; overdose detection technology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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