In a remarkable display of ingenuity and compassion, electrician John King has developed motion-sensor technology that has become a vital tool in preventing drug overdoses in public restrooms. The 63-year-old Andover-based electrician has become the go-to expert in the nation when it comes to designing and installing motion-sensor systems that can detect when a person has overdosed and stopped moving in a closed space.

King's systems, based on ultrasonic and infrared motion sensors equipped with timers, have already saved over 3,500 lives across the country. The devices are capable of detecting even the slightest body movements from the moment a person enters a room until they exit. If the monitor doesn't pick up any motion for a set amount of time, an alarm is triggered, allowing emergency medical teams to respond promptly.

These life-saving monitors have proven to be particularly effective in public bathrooms, which have long served as convenient locations for illicit drug use due to their accessibility, isolation, and lack of surveillance cameras. Unfortunately, the seclusion of these restrooms also makes them lethal, as individuals who collapse from respiratory failure can go unnoticed for hours.

King installed his first system in a Boston health clinic nearly seven years ago, never expecting the growing demand for his technology. As the illicit drug supply in New England and the rest of the country has become increasingly dangerous, with the synthetic opioid fentanyl driving record overdose deaths, the need for King's monitors and technical know-how has skyrocketed.

The dire nature of the unrelenting overdose crisis, which claims around 300 American lives daily, combined with the lack of safe and hygienic spaces for drug users, has led to an increased demand for these innovative motion-sensor devices. The alarms can be installed in any restroom and are roughly the size of a fire alarm. As soon as someone enters the room and closes the door, the motion detector activates. If no motion is detected for 2 minutes and 45 seconds, a high-pitched alarm sounds and a strobe light flashes above the door, alerting nearby individuals to a likely overdose. Trained staff can then administer naloxone, the overdose-reversal medication, and provide immediate emergency care.

While false alarms are inevitable, with people occasionally falling asleep or remaining motionless for extended periods, the installation of these devices has proven to be life-saving. The Boston Public Health Commission estimates that at least 75 overdoses in the bathrooms of homeless shelters have been reversed thanks to King's systems.

Inspired by King's work, other organizations are now looking to scale up the technology. Brave Technology Co-Op, based in Vancouver, has installed similar sensors in more than 50 locations across North America and has been awarded a contract by Rhode Island to deploy the devices in up to 100 locations across the state.

As the opioid crisis continues to ravage communities, it is crucial to explore innovative solutions like King's motion-sensor technology. While these devices are a testament to human ingenuity and compassion, they also serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for safe and hygienic spaces for those struggling with addiction.