Training on drug-related death prevention and first aid for people who use substances
We organise training sessions targeted at people who use substances throughout Finland. The aim of these training sessions is to reduce deaths caused by narcotics or alcohol poisoning.
The training on preventing drug-related deaths and providing first aid teaches participants how to identify and prevent life-threatening situations caused by intoxicants, call for additional help, assist an unconscious person and stop bleeding with temporary tools, among other things.
These two-hour training sessions are held in places such as housing units and meeting places for substance users, as well as prisons.
The training sessions can be ordered for places frequented by people who use intoxicants. The training can accommodate 2–20 participants. The training is free of charge for the organiser and participants.
The sessions are run by trained volunteers
The training sessions are led by Red Cross volunteers who have been trained for their tasks. The low-threshold training sessions usually also involve an employee from the housing unit, for example, who the participants are familiar with.
The sought-after training sessions have been organised since the end of 2023, and there is a constant need for new instructors throughout Finland. Instructors should first and foremost have excellent interaction skills and flexibility, and it is an advantage if they have basic first aid skills and know something about the lives of people who use intoxicants.
The Red Cross provides a training for the volunteers.
Raising awareness among the general public through campaigns
We also share information on the prevention of substance-related deaths with the general public. We organise campaigns with wellbeing services counties to educate people about how to identify narcotics and alcohol poisoning and provide first aid.
Enquiries: Health Promotion Specialist Kati Laitila, kati.laitila@redcross.fi, tel. 040 589 5778
