An organization working with schools across Canada to create CPR and defibrillator training programs is now looking to offer naloxone training programs for high school teachers and students.
The program will teach high school students about opioids, how to recognize a suspected overdose, and how to administer naloxone nasal spray.
Naloxone is a drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
The Advanced Coronary Treatment Foundation (ACT) has already completed a pilot project in Ottawa schools.
“The students responded so positively,” said ACT Executive Director Sandra Clarke, who attended the lessons. “Most students thought this was important training for them. They thought it was relevant to them.”
Young Canadians hospitalized at a faster rate
Between January and September last year, at least 5,368 Canadians died from “apparent opioid toxicity,” which is how the Public Health Agency of Canada classifies deaths from opioid-related substance use.
The death toll has skyrocketed during the pandemic, as people experienced an increase in isolation, stress and struggles, and as drugs on the street became increasingly harmful.
ACT Foundation Executive Director Sandra Clarke said the program will be offered to high schools across Canada following a successful pilot program in Ottawa. (Chris Ensing / CBC)
Young Canadians between the ages of 18 and 24 are the fastest growing population requiring hospital care due to suspected opioid overdose, according to ACT.
“It’s happening to your friends or loved ones, not intentionally, but accidentally,” ACT National Medical Director Dr. Michael Austin said.
“I think it’s very, very important that this population not only has these tools and skills to be able to respond, but cultural change just to act.”
A free course will be offered to school boards across Canada that will train teachers, who will then train students, in a combination of online and face-to-face classes.
ACT has provided its CPR and defibrillator training programs to more than 1,800 high schools across Canada and said the opioid overdose program will be an “improvement.”
The program is partially funded through the Health Canada Substance Use and Addiction Program.
Windsor-Essex School Boards have not joined the program
Clarke said ACT is working with school boards across the country to begin offering teacher training programs. He believes teachers could start training students in the fall.
But the program still faces at least one key hurdle before it is offered by some school boards.
“The ACT Foundation has contacted us, but until the provincial government tells us, we have no plans to offer naloxone or training kits to our students,” a Windsor-Essex Catholic School Board spokesman said.
Currently, the board does not have naloxone kits in its schools.
Dr. Michael Austin, ACT’s national medical director, said training high school students on how to use naloxone could help reduce deaths among young Canadians. (Chris Ensing / CBC)
Essex County School Board (GECDSB) employees receive training on how to administer naloxone, but are not currently committed to the ACT Foundation.
“We have many employees through our health and safety training program who are trained to administer naloxone, who receive as part of the program offered by our provider, Second Chance CPR,” a GECDSB spokesman said.
“Second Chance does all of our training, even in the highly competitive specialist courses, where some students receive naloxone training, along with CPR and DEA. [automated external defibrillator]. “
Students would appreciate a training program
Keeley Janisse is a student at Walkerville Collegiate in Windsor, Ontario, who believes that training with naloxone would be “amazing.”
“Being more aware of the drug crisis, especially opioids, because it’s very dangerous, could certainly help the community,” Janisse said.
“I think it would be a good idea,” 11th grader Ivano Richards said. “If something like an emergency or something happens, if someone had opioids and had an overdose, it would be a very good idea.”
Tim Baxter, an addiction counselor at Crossroads: Center for Personal Empowerment in Windsor, Ontario, has a naloxone kit. (Chris Ensing / CBC)
Jarrod Cagan, a 9th grader, said he would appreciate the training as well, though he said he thought it was unlikely anyone would take an overdose at school.
“In the unlikely event that someone does it, it would be very helpful for someone who knows how to treat you with this kit to help them. Also, if you have a family member who is using drugs and overdoses, he knows how to use it. . “
A sign of a growing crisis, says the addiction expert
Tim Baxter knows the power of opioids and the benefits of being trained to use a naloxone kit.
“I came here with a client who overdosed on the floor,” said Baxter, a counselor who works with people in recovery while sitting in his office at the Crossroads Center for Personal Empowerment in Windsor.
“It was very shocking to see this and understand what was going on.”
Baxter said he used his computer and stabilized the person while contacting 911.
“It’s a pretty sad state when you think about the fact that we’re now training young people in high school so they can use a life-saving tool that was made easier by the choice of their friends,” he said.
Baxter said he supports training at the school, but acknowledges that some people may be reluctant to accept the program.
“I hope there will be a massive effort to educate not only young people, but also parents, about the dangers of opioid overdose.”