Students to test app designed to protect opioid users

A new app aims to help prevent hospital admissions linked to opioid poisoning, as the number of people aged 15 to 24 admitted with such poisoning has more than doubled in five years, DR reports.

Called Jeg er ok, or I am okay, the app works in a similar way to the Hjerteløber app. A person taking opioids alone can activate it and set a time interval. If they do not confirm that everything is fine within that period, an alert is automatically sent to volunteer helpers nearby.

The helper receives access to the user’s location and can provide first aid and naloxone, which can prevent death if administered in time.

Employees at Redernes Krisecenter Fyn, a crisis centre, developed the app. Its manager, Anette Nancke, said it could make a positive difference for people using opioids.

“The idea is that it should become safer to take these substances if someone is struggling with addiction at a certain point in their life, so they do not die before they are ready to seek help,” Nancke said.

Nancke has worked with people affected by addiction, including opioid users, for more than 25 years. She said the idea for the app came from people who had expressed a wish for anonymous help when taking opioids alone and something went wrong.

Users remain anonymous and only come into contact with a helper if first aid is needed. Asked whether the app could make it easier to take drugs without consequences, Nancke said she did not believe it would.

“I think the app draws attention to the fact that taking opioids is life-threatening, and I trust young people’s judgement not to be tempted to try opioids,” she said.

The team behind the app visited Sct. Knuds Gymnasium, a secondary school in Odense, to introduce it to students. The students will provide feedback on how it works and how it could be improved to make it attractive to use.

One student, Anton Valdemar Andersen Krogh, received an opioid emergency kit after the presentation. The kit contains first aid information, the antidote naloxone, a medicine guide, disposable gloves and a filter used to avoid direct contact when giving artificial respiration.

Krogh said he could imagine signing up as a helper when the app is released.

“I think it is a good concept that you can receive and give help if someone is in a situation where it is needed,” he said.

The app will be stress-tested and further developed during the autumn, alongside the review of the students’ feedback. It is expected to be ready for use in January 2027.