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.
Here's what some participants had to say about the impact:
Joel, Peer Researcher
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
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. 