New Data Reveals That Only 18 Per Cent Of Ontarians Are Confident They Could Help Someone Experiencing A Suspected Opioid Overdose
Saturday, 03 December 2022 10:11.AM
- Hydro One provides support to the ACT Foundation to expand the new Opioid Overdose Response Training to 80 per cent of Ontario high schools -
Today, Hydro One announced it is increasing its contribution to the Advanced Coronary Treatment (ACT) Foundation to support the expansion of their High School CPR & AED Programs to include the new Opioid Overdose Response Training enhancement, as new data from an online survey conducted in Ontario by Innovative Research Group reveals that only 18 per cent of Ontarians are confident they could help someone experiencing a suspected opioid overdose. The same survey found that 45 per cent of respondents feel confident in their ability to respond to a medical emergency where someone is unresponsive and not breathing. Over the next three years, Hydro One's contribution will support ACT in delivering the new Opioid Overdose Response Training to nearly 80 per cent of high schools in Ontario.
"We are thrilled with the commitment of ACT's Ontario provincial partner, Hydro One," said ACT Foundation Executive Director Sandra Clarke. "Their support is helping the ACT Foundation enable thousands of students across the province to be ready to respond to life-threatening medical emergencies that can happen to their family members, friends, neighbours and others in their communities."
"Seconds can make the difference in saving someone's life and it is critical that Ontarians have all the tools they need to quickly respond to a serious medical emergency," said Jay Armitage, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Hydro One. "With reports of opioid-related fatalities increasing significantly since the beginning of the pandemic, the addition of opioid overdose response to ACT's existing CPR/AED training will give thousands of young people a vital new tool in their lifesaving toolbox."
The ACT Foundation developed the Opioid Overdose Response Training module for high schools based on a successful Ottawa pilot project in 2019. Earlier this year, with Hydro One's support, along with other ACT partners, ACT began rolling out the training to Ontario high schools, providing teachers with critical resources to educate students about how to recognize and respond to a suspected opioid overdose, including the use of nasal Naloxone. This new training is an enhancement of ACT's successful High School CPR and AED Program, which is free for high schools across Canada.
ACT is a national charitable foundation dedicated to establishing CPR and AED training in Canadian high schools. Through its partnership with Hydro One, along with other private and public sector partners, ACT has trained more than 2.9 million youth across Ontario. ACT establishes High School CPR and AED Programs, where teachers are trained to teach students the following: how to recognize a life-threatening medical emergency; safety issues and emergency scene management; CPR and how to use an AED; and, as of this fall, how to respond to a suspected opioid overdose.
Hydro One's support for ACT is provided through its Community Investment program that focuses on building safe communities in Ontario. The company supports programs, events and initiatives that focus on safety training and safe play. Some of its partners include the Coaches Association of Ontario, Jack.org and Scouts Canada. Established in 2000, the long-time partnership between ACT and Hydro One is dedicated to ensuring continued access to CPR, AED and now opioid-associated emergency training for teachers and students across Ontario.
"The health and safety of youth in Ottawa is a top priority for me, and I'm pleased to see that organizations like Hydro One and the ACT Foundation have partnered to roll out this critical training to high schools here in Ottawa and in cities across Ontario. We're facing a substance use disorder crisis here in Ottawa and training more individuals to respond to a suspected opioid overdose could deliver better results for individuals and their families, and ultimately save lives."
- Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa
SOURCE: Hydro One Inc.