Red Cross Opioid Harm Reduction
The opioid crisis is devastating families and communities across Canada. Tragically, the crisis has worsened since the onset of COVID-19, with 7,560 deaths recorded in 2021. Opioid poisoning can happen any time—to a friend, a colleague, or a loved one. Knowing how to respond could save a life.
Canadian Red Cross is committed to helping communities reduce opioid-related deaths by increasing Canadians’ access to response training and naloxone – a life-saving medication that temporarily reverses the life-threatening effects of opioid poisoning. We are focused on reaching people most at risk for opioid poisoning in under-served communities and helping Canadians to better understand the risks, stigmas, and misconceptions of opioid poisoning.
Our goal is that no one in Canada will experience an opioid poisoning without someone being there who has a naloxone kit and knows how to use it.
Red Cross Opioid Harm Reduction - choose one or both of these free courses online to better understand.
Becoming an Opioid Harm Reduction Champion
First aid for Opioid Poisoning Emergencies (update May 2024 no more free nasal sprays available at the end of the course - please get a free set from your local pharmacy)
Please sign up for any Emergency First Aid or Standard First Aid course for more confidence in applying your newly learned knowledge and get some hands-on experience through a classroom setting.
Opioid Harm Reduction
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