Red Cross and wellbeing services counties work together to prevent drug-related deaths
During the spring, wellbeing services counties across Finland will share information on prevention of drug-related deaths together with the Finnish Red Cross. These communication campaigns aim to prevent drug-related deaths that have become concerningly common in Finland, particularly among young people. The message of the campaigns is that everyone can help, and everyone has the right to get help.
During April and May, the communication campaigns run by the Red Cross and the wellbeing services counties remind everyone on how to recognise life-threatening intoxication and help those who are intoxicated. The campaign materials and first aid guidelines will be displayed in places such as the facilities of wellbeing services counties and participating municipalities, including social service locations, health stations and educational institutions, as well as in public transport and on social media channels. During the spring, 12 wellbeing services counties will participate in the communication campaigns, and some municipalities are also involved.
In Finland, an exceptionally high proportion of drug-related deaths occur among people under 25 – proportionally more than in other European countries. The vast majority of drug-related deaths are accidental poisonings.
“Many of the drug-related deaths could be prevented by identifying risky situations and taking the correct actions. Any of us can end up in a situation where our actions can help save someone's life,” says Kati Laitila, Health Promotion Specialist of the Finnish Red Cross.
The materials for the communication campaigns are based on a training on drug-related death prevention and first aid for people who use substances, organised by the Red Cross. The training sessions last a couple of hours and are led by trained volunteers. They are held in locations such as meeting places and housing units of people using substances. The training includes e.g. how to identify and prevent life-threatening situations, how to call for additional help and how to help an unconscious person.
Most of the communication campaigns will be organised across Finland between 27 April and 17 May. One wellbeing services county campaigned for the issue in March, and more campaigns are planned for the autumn. This is not a single campaign, but rather each wellbeing services county will implement the communications in a way that best suits their operating environment.
