Revive: Get the App. Save a Life.

By Aaron Schekorra, Public Health Information Administrator with Springfield-Greene County Health

Last year, a coalition of public health, heath care and community organizations released the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment. The report revealed that our community was facing a significant rate of drug use and overdose fatalities. People living in the Springfield Community (Greene, Christian, and Webster counties) are 25% more likely to die from drug overdoses compared to the rest of the United States. Despite having numerous resources and treatment options available to address substance use, these statistics emphasize the urgent need for additional solutions that prioritize saving lives during overdose situations.

In response to this pressing need, Springfield-Greene County Health launched a new initiative called Revive. This resource is a mobile and web-based application, serving as a vital link between substance users, their loved ones, and community members who may encounter individuals experiencing an overdose. Its primary objective is to prevent overdoses from becoming overdose deaths.

When you choose to download Revive or utilize the web version, you gain access to interactive maps designed to guide people towards locations where they can obtain Naloxone — an effective medication that rapidly counteracts opioid overdoses. These maps also provide information on available substance use treatment resources and safe drug disposal sites. Additionally, the app offers comprehensive guidance on recognizing the signs and symptoms of an overdose, as well as an overview of Missouri’s Good Samaritan laws, which safeguards you when reporting emergencies from legal consequences related to drug possession and minor violations.

In the event that you come across someone experiencing an overdose, Revive will ask you a series of questions, enabling personalized, step-by-step instructions on how to keep someone experiencing an overdose alive until emergency medical assistance arrives.

Substance use affects people and families across all segments of our community. Consequently, we require long-term solutions that address the stigma hindering people from seeking help and effectively connect them with suitable treatment programs. While our community works to address these needs, our focus must be on mitigating the harm inflicted by drugs on our community and ensuring the survival of those battling substance use disorders.

Revive is readily available to anyone in our community. The mobile app can be downloaded for free on both Apple and Android devices. To download Revive or access the web version, visit Revive417.com today.

Aaron Schekorra is the Public Health Information Administrator for Springfield-Greene County Health, a role he began in 2021. Prior to taking on this role, he served as the Outreach Coordinator for the department’s COVID-19 response. Schekorra’s education includes a Master’s in Public Administration from Missouri State University and a Graduate Certificate in Public Health from A.T. Still University. Aaron is currently working toward a Master’s in Public Health from A.T. Still University.