By Marwa Suraj, Director, Health Services, Canadian Red Cross – Manitoba and Nunavut
The opioid poisoning crisis continues to be a pressing public health emergency, and responding to it head-on requires knowledge, preparation, and community support.
In October 2023, the Canadian Red Cross partnered with Alltogether4IDEAS, a Winnipeg-based organization dedicated to creating meaningful change through advocacy in harm reduction. With a concentration on innovation and knowledge exchange, this partnership is helping people navigate HIV/AIDS, drug use, homelessness, and/or unstable living conditions.
Recently, our Red Cross Manitoba Health team rolled out a special Opioid Harm Reduction Training for the Alltogether4IDEAS crew. The session was all about spotting signs of opioid poisoning and mastering the use of naloxone - the literal lifesaver in opioid poisoning emergencies.
Together, we’re not just sharing knowledge - we’re weaving safety nets across communities.
The training aimed to equip the Alltogether4IDEAS team with the necessary skills and knowledge to recognize and respond to a suspected opioid poisoning as they gear up for upcoming health outreach initiatives. During the training, members of the team learned how to administer naloxone and gained valuable skills, knowledge, and resources to change community perceptions of suspected opioid poisoning.
Here's what some participants had to say about the impact:
Joel, Peer Researcher
“The naloxone training gave me the knowledge and skills I need to intervene safely and confidently in an [opioid poisoning] situation,” says Joel. “I haven't had to actively use it, but whenever I am in public, I observe the people around me for signs of possible [opioid poisoning] and am prepared to intervene with the kit I usually carry in my backpack. I also feel that this kind of training should be made available to a few people in every workplace because anyone can [experience opioid poisoning] at any time - we might not readily identify all drug consumers.”
As a peer researcher, Joel contributes to the research by collaborating with other members of the research team to develop and/or review proposed data gathering instruments that are relevant, appropriate, and sensitive to would-be respondents. He also conducts interviews, contributes to team building, skills enhancement, and outreach.
Heather, Cultural Advisor
Heather is a Cultural Advisor at Alltogether4IDEAS, involved in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for facilitating training. Heather also works on the frontlines from time to time, preventing suspected opioid poisoning.
“Naloxone training is important to me personally and professionally because I have lost family, friends, and clients to drug overdose,” explains Heather. “I like to make sure that everyone in my family and the people I work with are fully trained in administering naloxone. It is easy to save a life with the knowledge we received in the training at any time when we see an emergency.”
Adi Keynan, Volunteer
Adi is an undergraduate student at the University of Winnipeg. Her passion in research through her studies and volunteer work through Alltogether4IDEAS and NineCircles involves improving resources and education on safer drug use. “Having received my naloxone training provides me with the skills to perform overdose prevention care and the confidence necessary to tend to a [suspected opioid poisoning],” explains Adi.
Adi reached out to the Canadian Red Cross hoping for a partnership with Alltogether4IDEAS as she had previously learned about the Canadian Red Cross Opioid Harm Reduction training.
The positive feedback from Alltogether4IDEAS highlights the power of collaboration in responding to the opioid poisoning crisis. By providing training and resources, the Canadian Red Cross empowers individuals and communities to become active participants in promoting health and safety. This combined effort can make a tangible difference in saving lives and creating a safer and healthier environment for all.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Alltogether4IDEAS team for their commitment to community outreach and for choosing the Canadian Red Cross as their training partner. Your dedication to making a difference inspires us.
The opioid poisoning crisis continues to be a pressing public health emergency, and responding to it head-on requires knowledge, preparation, and community support.
In October 2023, the Canadian Red Cross partnered with Alltogether4IDEAS, a Winnipeg-based organization dedicated to creating meaningful change through advocacy in harm reduction. With a concentration on innovation and knowledge exchange, this partnership is helping people navigate HIV/AIDS, drug use, homelessness, and/or unstable living conditions.
Recently, our Red Cross Manitoba Health team rolled out a special Opioid Harm Reduction Training for the Alltogether4IDEAS crew. The session was all about spotting signs of opioid poisoning and mastering the use of naloxone - the literal lifesaver in opioid poisoning emergencies.
Together, we’re not just sharing knowledge - we’re weaving safety nets across communities.
Building resilience through community outreach
The training aimed to equip the Alltogether4IDEAS team with the necessary skills and knowledge to recognize and respond to a suspected opioid poisoning as they gear up for upcoming health outreach initiatives. During the training, members of the team learned how to administer naloxone and gained valuable skills, knowledge, and resources to change community perceptions of suspected opioid poisoning.
Here's what some participants had to say about the impact:
Joel, Peer Researcher
“The naloxone training gave me the knowledge and skills I need to intervene safely and confidently in an [opioid poisoning] situation,” says Joel. “I haven't had to actively use it, but whenever I am in public, I observe the people around me for signs of possible [opioid poisoning] and am prepared to intervene with the kit I usually carry in my backpack. I also feel that this kind of training should be made available to a few people in every workplace because anyone can [experience opioid poisoning] at any time - we might not readily identify all drug consumers.”
As a peer researcher, Joel contributes to the research by collaborating with other members of the research team to develop and/or review proposed data gathering instruments that are relevant, appropriate, and sensitive to would-be respondents. He also conducts interviews, contributes to team building, skills enhancement, and outreach.
Heather, Cultural Advisor
Heather is a Cultural Advisor at Alltogether4IDEAS, involved in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for facilitating training. Heather also works on the frontlines from time to time, preventing suspected opioid poisoning.
“Naloxone training is important to me personally and professionally because I have lost family, friends, and clients to drug overdose,” explains Heather. “I like to make sure that everyone in my family and the people I work with are fully trained in administering naloxone. It is easy to save a life with the knowledge we received in the training at any time when we see an emergency.”
Adi Keynan, Volunteer
Adi is an undergraduate student at the University of Winnipeg. Her passion in research through her studies and volunteer work through Alltogether4IDEAS and NineCircles involves improving resources and education on safer drug use. “Having received my naloxone training provides me with the skills to perform overdose prevention care and the confidence necessary to tend to a [suspected opioid poisoning],” explains Adi.
Adi reached out to the Canadian Red Cross hoping for a partnership with Alltogether4IDEAS as she had previously learned about the Canadian Red Cross Opioid Harm Reduction training.
Together we make a difference
- Increased Confidence: "The training provided by the Canadian Red Cross made me feel confident to intervene safely during [a suspected opioid poisoning] situation. Knowing what to do in those critical moments is empowering, especially as we head into our health outreach program." - Adi, team member, Alltogether4IDEAS.
- Enhanced Awareness: "The Red Cross training really opened my eyes to the signs and symptoms of a [suspected opioid poisoning.] I'm now more aware of what to look out for and feel prepared to take action if needed, which is invaluable for our upcoming outreach efforts." - Heather, Cultural Advisor, Alltogether4IDEAS.
- Collective Impact for a Safer Community: "Equipping more people with this knowledge could significantly improve our community's preparedness for overdose situations. This training will be instrumental during our outreach program." - Joel, Peer Researcher, Alltogether4IDEAS
The positive feedback from Alltogether4IDEAS highlights the power of collaboration in responding to the opioid poisoning crisis. By providing training and resources, the Canadian Red Cross empowers individuals and communities to become active participants in promoting health and safety. This combined effort can make a tangible difference in saving lives and creating a safer and healthier environment for all.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Alltogether4IDEAS team for their commitment to community outreach and for choosing the Canadian Red Cross as their training partner. Your dedication to making a difference inspires us.
