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Posted: 2017-08-18T18:19:43Z | Updated: 2017-08-18T18:19:43Z

Its Friday. The end of the week: time to unwind, have fun, and plan for a designated driver with Lyft or Uber . Tonight, and this weekend, thousands of people will use a rideshare app to get them from party to party. Most of them will make it home safely. But some wont, thanks to surging rates of drug use. Recovery advocate Ryan Hampton is highlighting the crucial role Lyft and Uber drivers could play in saving lives simply by carrying anti-overdose medication Narcan.

A few weeks ago, one of Ryans friends died of an overdose in the sober living house. The facility didnt have Narcan available. Neither did the EMTs who arrived at the scene: California law prohibits first responders from carrying basic medications like the EpiPen, Narcan, or even aspirin and Benadryl. Ryans friend was alive when the sober living house called 911, and alive when the ambulance came. But without Narcan, there was no way to combat the overdose.

Another life lost. As the drug epidemic peaks, so are overdose deaths like this one. Most overdoses are accidental and preventable. They also affect people who dont have substance use disorder. Anyone who takes an opioid medication, recreationally or on doctors orders, is at risk for an overdose. That means that people like Robbie Hodge can end up in a coma after trying a drug just one time.

Ryan is calling for Uber and Lyft to be prepared to prevent overdose deaths by training their drivers. Its a simple idea that could save thousands of lives. Hes raising awareness by giving trainings to drivers with harm reduction activist Chad Sabora while they use Lyft and Uber to get around Los Angeles, California.

Ryan and Chad agree that more Narcan, in more places, will save more lives. This is especially true in places where there are lots of people who might be engaging in high risk behaviors: like the back seat of a Lyft, downtown on a Friday night.