Valorem Reply launches “Aberdeen Protects” app to save lives and combat drug related deaths

12 September 2025

Valorem Reply, part of the Reply Group and a Microsoft Cloud Solutions Partner, partnered with Aberdeen City Council, NHS Grampian, Alcohol & Drugs Action, Aberdeen in Recovery, and the Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership to launch Aberdeen Protects, a life saving mobile application designed to prevent drug related deaths. Built on Microsoft Azure Cloud, the app provides real time information on naloxone stock locations, step by step overdose response guidance, harm reduction strategies, and local drug alerts. By empowering communities with instant, location aware access to life saving resources, Aberdeen Protects bridges the gap between crisis and emergency response.

Naloxone is a free, safe medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose while emergency services are contacted. With the rise of highly potent substances and unpredictable drug composition, quick access to naloxone and overdose education is critical in saving lives.

Valorem Reply led the development of the app using .NET MAUI and Blazor for cross platform delivery on iOS and Android, with an Azure hosted backend leveraging Azure Functions, API Management, and custom C# services. A bespoke notification engine, powered by Power Apps, ensures timely push and in app alerts. Deployment and updates are streamlined through Azure DevOps with automated YAML pipelines, allowing Aberdeen City Council to manage content and releases efficiently.

Since its launch in August 2024, Aberdeen Protects has been downloaded over 600 times across both Apple and Google app stores, maintaining a 5.0 user rating on iOS. While precise data on lives saved is still emerging, local public health agencies credit the app with improving naloxone availability, raising awareness, and enhancing overdose response capacity. Stakeholders are now exploring plans to expand its reach across Scotland through integration with the NHS 24 app.

By combining technology innovation with community collaboration, Aberdeen Protects represents a significant step forward in public health, reducing stigma, increasing access to support services, and ultimately helping to save lives.

The Aberdeen Protects project has been submitted for consideration in the Microsoft Partner Awards, a recognition of its innovation and impact. The winners and finalists for 2025 will be announced in November.