Project Description: 

Since 1990, there has been a global increase in opioid consumption, leading to a large population who suffers from opioid misuse. With an estimate of 1.9 million adolescents and 5.4 million young adults who have experienced opioid misuse in the United States, adolescents and young adults are two of the most at-risk demographics of the opioid crisis. 49.2% of adolescents and 57.9% of young adults obtained their abused opioids from a friend or family member. Many people within this demographic have easy, unrestricted access to opioid medications belonging to appropriately prescribed users in their households, which can open a gateway to substance abuse and addiction. The goal of this project is to create a device that will prevent unauthorized users from accessing prescription opioids without inhibiting the prescribed user. The device needs to notify the user of any attempted breaches as well as assist them in managing their medication(s), increasing the value brought by the device and encouraging continued use. Creating a device with a preventative approach can help reduce the number of people who become addicted to opioids.