Ontario government launches Workplace Naloxone Program

The Ontario government announced Wednesday the launch of a first-of-its-kind program to make naloxone kits available in at-risk workplaces.

At-risk workplaces can be defined as a place where there is a risk of staff witnessing or experiencing an opioid overdose.

More than 2800 people died from opioid-related causes in Ontario in 2021, the highest number on record.

Construction was the most impacted industry by far, with 30 per cent of workers who died from opioid-related causes last year coming from that industry.

Bars and nightclubs have also seen increased opioid usage and accidental overdoses, often because of recreational drugs laced with deadly opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanil.

As of June 1, 2023, at-risk employers will be required by legislation to ensure their workplaces have life-saving naloxone kits through the Workplace Naloxone Program.

“Ontario, like the rest of Canada, is in the middle of an opioid epidemic made worse by a toxic supply of recreational street drugs,” Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development said. “That’s why our government is the first in North America to require naloxone kits be accessible in at-risk workplaces, to raise awareness for those struggling with addiction, reduce stigma, and save lives.”

WATCH: Ontario Ministers to make announcement about naloxone access at 9:30 a.m.

At-risk employers can be considered those who become aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, that there may be a risk of an opioid overdose in their workplace.

Examples of this include a worker disclosing an opioid use issue, if needles or other opioid paraphernalia are found at the workplace, or if they are otherwise given information that would lead them to reasonably conclude there is a risk of an overdose in the workplace.

“We encourage workplaces to sign up to receive more information on how they can apply for free training on how to prevent death caused by opioid poisoning,” Liane Fernandes, Vice President, Ontario Operations, Canadian Red Cross said. “Together, we can address the growing opioid crisis.”

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose, restore breathing within two to five minutes, and allow time for medical help to arrive.