Training for people who use substances: preventing drug deaths and first aid

Substance poisoning deaths have increased in Finland. In Finland, young people under the age of 25 in particular die accidentally due to substances. Some of the deaths could have been prevented if those around them had recognised the risk situations and known how to prevent them, called for help in time, and been able to provide life-saving first aid.

Red Cross volunteers organise 1–2 hour training sessions for people who use substances at their everyday gathering places, such as care units, day centres or housing units, and in prisons. These training sessions have already reached 1,000 people who use substances. We are now continuing this work with support from STEA.

You can order these training sessions or train to become a facilitator!

Drug death prevention and first aid training for your unit for people who use substances?
Contact form at this link.

The training is free of charge for the organiser. (However, we are not yet able to respond to orders in all parts of Finland, and if facilitators are travelling from far away, the organiser may in some cases be asked to cover the facilitators' travel expenses.) The training includes information on ways to prevent drug deaths, discussion on calling for additional help, and first aid skills.

2–20 people can participate in the training, and the space must be large enough to allow practising, e.g. the recovery position. There are no other requirements for the space. 
The duration of the training is 1–2 hours, depending on how long participants are able and willing to participate.

Posters related to the training can be printed from the material bank.

Could you facilitate these skills for people who use substances?
Facilitators are expected to have good interaction skills and flexibility. It is an advantage if they are familiar with the lives of people who use substances and/or have basic first aid skills.
Training sessions are facilitated in pairs.
The facilitator training includes one webinar (can also be completed using recordings) and an in-person day.

The webinar covers the life situation of people who use substances, first aid related to substances, and harm reduction. Upcoming training sessions can be found at: OmaPunainenRisti

After the facilitator training, the facilitator's suitability for the role is still confirmed.

The in-person day programme for facilitator training includes, among other things:

• Background on substance poisoning deaths and the substance use situation
• Substance knowledge refresher
• Action in accident and substance poisoning situations
• The emergency care perspective on substance poisoning situations
• Specific first aid in substance situations
• Refresher on the first aid to be taught
• Review of training materials
• Training and encounter exercises

Register your interest here: Lyyti

Registration is not binding. When we have enough trainees in the region, the in-person day will be organised and you will be notified immediately.

Join the facilitator team to prevent drug deaths and provide people who use substances with basic first aid skills!

Additional information:
Yle Aamu TV haastattelu (in Finnish)
STT info (in Finnish)