For many, taking Canadian first aid courses are only for healthcare professionals and those who are taking care of a critically-ill family member or individual. What they do not realize is that these courses can also come in handy if they know someone who is taking pain killers or if they are taking these types of medications themselves. Here are some of the reasons why first aid courses are important for opioid use.
Opioids and narcotics have become the deadliest medications in Canada
In a study that was conducted by research professionals at the Simon Fraser University, the toll of individuals who die from narcotic or opioid abuse in Canada is on the rise. Researchers speculate that this rise is related to the increase in the number of people who are prescribed or advised to take narcotics even though they do not really need it. In a separate study that was conducted by professionals at the Interior Health Authority and the B.C. Coroners Service, it was revealed that 21 people die each year due to opioid overdose in southeastern British Columbia and that more than 90 people die annually due to the same cause all over the province. Considering that more than 86% of these death toll rates are due to accidental overdose, this means that knowing how to administer first aid techniques is highly beneficial.
Opioid consumption and withdrawal in Canada has increased
According to the study that was released by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in University of Toronto, Canada has nabbed the second place in the list of countries that consume the most number of narcotics. Aside from the growing number of opioid consumption, the number of people who suffer from withdrawal and eventually falling off the wagon after getting clean from opioid abuse is also increasing. This means that first aid knowledge can still come in handy when dealing with people who have struggled with opioid abuse in the past since they are still strong candidates for opioid overdose.
Opioids are easily obtained, even for children
In the same study that was released by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health for 2011, it was revealed that 67% of users who are between Grade 7 and 12 have obtained their opioid medications from home. This is congruent to the outcome of the study that was conducted by professionals at the College of Family Physicians of Canada in which it was revealed that opioid-related deaths were more common among patients who were prescribed to take opioids on a regular basis by their family physicians. This is why Canadian first aid courses are still useful even if the opioids are prescribed by an actual healthcare professional.